Cook

**Job Purpose**

To provide, manage and develop a high quality catering service to residents, guests and visitors to the home. To operate a safe, professional and cost effective catering service within the company operational standards and complying with all statutory requirements.

**Objectives of the Job Role**
- Ensure that our all residents are provided with enough choice of nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day broadly following the standard menus
- Ensure the kitchen is clean and hygienic at all times and both internal infection control audits and external inspections score highly
- Ensure that food orders are made punctually two times a week and that the food costs are within budget throughout the year

**Person Specification**
- **The Hollies Values**_

Job role holder must exemplify the company’s values, which are:
1. Committed to Training, Development

2. To Communicate Openly, Honestly & Effectively

3. To Have & Reward a Strong Work Ethic

4. To provide a Positive Teamworking Working Environment

5. To provide a Homely place for our Residents to live

6. To Embrace Change Positively

7. To act with Integrity by always doing what we say we will
- **Competencies**_

Ability to work with and lead a team

Ability to work under pressure

Good communication skills

A willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of our residents

A positive and enthusiastic outlook

Good time management skills
- **Skills, experience and professional qualifications required**_

Hold a relevant Level 2 or 3 qualification (or willing to study towards this)

Basic or intermediate Food Safety Certificate (or willing to work towards this)

At least four years catering experience, ideally with customers who require special dietary requirements

Knowledge of health and safety in the workplace
- **Skills, experience and professional qualifications preferred**_

Demonstrable ability in:
creating nutritious, well balanced and attractive menus

managing/training a team

budgeting and control of purchasing

motivating and working within a team

using new products and developments in the catering industry

Experience of working as a Chef in a Hospital / Nursing Home or Residential Home

**Key Responsibilities**
- **Caring for our Residents**_

Ensure all staff instil a culture of putting residents needs first and providing excellent care

Create nutritious well-balanced menus which reflect the The Hollies’s standard of using fresh, quality and seasonal produce. The menus will meet all dietary requirements within company guidelines and in consultation with residents, relatives and nursing staff

Always wear clean uniforms and only wear essential jewellery

To maintain a professional attitude when dealing with relatives, outside agencies and other visitors to the home.
- **Training **_

To keep all mandatory training up to date and complete additional training as required/

To attend face to face training sessions as needed.

Ensure the Manager is kept fully informed of the job holder’s concerns, ambitions and development requirements
- **Positive Team Work Environment**_

Support Team Members in the smooth running of the kitchen.

Manage catering staff to ensure a professional, safe, clean and efficient kitchen operation. Ensure that staff are trained in food handling and preparation, use of all equipment, personal hygiene, serving, food storage and in keeping the required company records

Ensure the wider team are kept fully informed of all new developments in the kitchen.

To be aware of The Hollies Healthcare’s philosophy and to contribute ideas to improve the standard of care provided.

To maintain a positive and professional outlook whilst at work, and whilst representing The Hollies Healthcare in the community.
- **Communication**_

Attend and contribute to kitchen meetings and general staff meetings to maintain communication between all levels of staff

Speak to residents on a regular basis to obtain feedback regarding catering arrangements and food supplied

Investigate any incidents, accidents or complaints that arise under direction of the Home Manager

Ensure the Manager is kept fully informed of all major developments (i.e. staff issues, complaints, inspections) at all times

Maintain accurate written records
- **Work Ethic **_

To work flexibly to meet the needs of the residents

Prepare rosters for staff cover and allocate duties and responsibilities in advance of duty days and communicate any changes to staff in good time

Ensure a high standard of cleanliness is maintained in the main kitchen and satellite kitchens in the home and monitor and audit regularly
- **Providing a Homely Environment for our Residents **_

Supervise the layout of the dining room ensuring a welcoming atmosphere with fully laid tables in line with The Hollies standards. Supervise food delivery and presentation to residents and visitors, and if requested the delivery of meal trays to residents rooms and the timely collec