* Meal Preparation and Service: Plan, prepare, and cook high-quality hot and cold meals and beverages daily, ensuring they are well-presented and served on time.
* Menu Development: Create varied, balanced, and seasonal menus in consultation with residents and management, incorporating resident preferences and feedback to enhance their dining experience.
* Specialized Dietary Needs: Cater to a wide range of dietary requirements, including specific allergies, cultural choices (e.g., Kosher, Halal, vegetarian, vegan), diabetes management, and texture-modified diets (e.g., pureed or minced meals as per the IDDSI framework) for residents with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
* Health and Safety Compliance: Maintain high standards of kitchen hygiene and food safety in line with EHO (Environmental Health Officer) regulations, including managing the HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) and COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) documentation.
* Stock and Budget Management: Monitor and control food costs, order supplies from nominated suppliers, manage inventory, and minimise waste effectively.
* Kitchen Management: Ensure all kitchen equipment is in good working order and safely used, and report any faults immediately.
* Team Collaboration and Supervision: Work closely with care staff to understand residents' current needs and health changes, and supervise and train junior kitchen staff.
* Resident Engagement: Interact with residents in a friendly and professional manner to gather feedback and ensure their dining preferences are met, occasionally supporting special events or cooking activities.
Essential Skills and Qualifications
* Qualifications: A relevant catering qualification (e.g., City & Guilds Level 1 & 2, NVQ Level 3 in Catering or equivalent) and a minimum of a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate are essential.
* Experience: Previous experience cooking for older people or in a care/healthcare setting is often required or highly desirable.
* Skills: Strong communication skills, empathy, time management, the ability to work independently or as part of a team, and attention to detail are crucial.
* Compliance: Knowledge of safeguarding adults policies and a valid Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check are mandatory for working with vulnerable people