Cook

Reed Specialist Recruitment are currently assisting our client in their search for a Cook to join their well experienced kitchen team, on a permanent basis, within their well-established private nursing home

**Responsible to**: Nurse Manager

**Reports to**: Staff Nurse in Charge

**Working Hours**: 7.30am - 5.30pm.

32.325 hrs per week. Working 3 days on week one, 4 days on week two.

**Overall Function**:
To lead and co-ordinate the catering function of the home in the provision of a range of nutritious meals and food appropriate to the likes and dislikes of the home residents within budget and whilst following Food Hygiene Legislation

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**:

- In conjunction with the Management, other catering staff as well as nutritional professionals, design rotating menus based upon relevant nutritional advice and guidance as well as preferences of the residents in the home
- Ensure that meals are served of a high quality, in a timely and appetising manner for both regular and pureed meals and that food safety guidelines are followed at all times
- Liaise with Nursing Staff to ensure that residents' dietary needs are being met. This will include meeting and dicussing with the residents themselves
- Ensure proper and economic use of stock within budget limits
- Responsible for stock ordering, storage and spending
- Supervise Kitchen Assistants and ensure that they understand their duties and that they are being carried out at the highest level
- Ensure that the dining tables are laid correctly for meals and the dining room is clean at all times
- Assist with the training of new recruits and younger cooks
- Ensure that all appropriate records are in place in accordance with Environmental Health, and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority Guidelines
- Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times
- Adhere to all Policies and Procedures of the home
- Attend all mandatory training provided by the home
- Report all complaints to the home manager in a timely fashion and assist with any investigations if required
- **Health & Safety**:_
- Ensure that the personal hygiene of all staff within the kitchen is of the highest standard
- Ensure all areas of the kitchen, including storage areas are kept meticulously clean and tidy
- Ensure that food is stored and cooked in accordance with Environmental Health Regulations
- Check the quality of food items delivered to the kitchen i.e. meat, fruit, vegetables, frozen food and stock rotation of provisions in refrigerators, freezers and stores rooms
- Use and clean all equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines
- Report immediately any faults with equipment to Home Manager
- Maintain a safe environment for the home residents
- Report all accidents to the Home Manager/Deputy Manager/Head Cook. Ensure accidents logged in accident book
- Adhere to Fire Policy, COSHH Regulations and all other Health & Safety Guidelines
- Ensure that HACCP and other legally required documentation is completed and retained in line with current Food Hygiene Legislation, Environmental Health and RQIA standards and requirements
- Advise the Nurse Manager of all visits by inspecting agencies and the results of any such visits
- **These responsibilities are not meant to be definitive and will be modified to meet the Home's needs**_