Job summary
Are you an experienced Chef with a passion for cooking fresh, homemade meals? Do you have experience catering for a wide range of dietary needs in a professional kitchen? If so, this role could be for you!
Main duties of the job
We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced Chef to join our dedicated Catering Team at our Hospice in Loughborough. You will play a key role in preparing nutritious, home-style meals that support the comfort and wellbeing of children, families, staff, and visitors.
Location: Rainbows Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough (No travel required)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (rota pattern across Monday Sunday)
About us
Here at Rainbows Childrens Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care and end-of-life support to over 750 Babies, Children, and Young People living with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, as well as approximately 3,000 people, including families, siblings, and carers, across the East Midlands. Simply put, were here to brighten short lives and support families, wherever they are.
Job description
Job responsibilities
About the role
Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to):
Prepare and cook fresh, homemade meals for Babies, Children, Young People, Families, Staff, and Visitors.
Create flexible, sensitive menus to meet a wide range of dietary, cultural, and religious needs.
Collaborate with care teams, parents, and young people to tailor food to specific preferences or dietary requirements.
Ensure HACCP systems are maintained and all kitchen operations meet health and safety standards.
Maintain kitchen cleanliness and equipment safety, reporting any incidents promptly.
Further responsibilities in the role can be found by downloading the Job Description.
Essential requirements
NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking
Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene
Allergy Awareness training
Experience cooking fresh meals from scratch
Experience managing a kitchen and catering for special diets
Knowledge of HACCP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations
Desirable requirements
NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene (or working towards it)
Experience catering for events
Knowledge of food allergies and intolerances
Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification.
Our Benefits include:
Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop.
Healthcare Cashback plan.
Life Assurance.
27 days holiday.
Plus bank holiday allowance but expectation to work bank holidays in this role.
Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme.
Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice
Free access to an employee assistance programme
Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders
Unofficial benefits: Fun events, All staff away days, Guest visitors
For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Michael Cayless (Catering Manager) on Michael.cayless@rainbows.co.uk
To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at recruitment@rainbows.co.uk
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and comprehensive pre-employment screening, including employment referencing covering the past five years.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
About the role
Some of the key responsibilities include (but not limited to):
Prepare and cook fresh, homemade meals for Babies, Children, Young People, Families, Staff, and Visitors.
Create flexible, sensitive menus to meet a wide range of dietary, cultural, and religious needs.
Collaborate with care teams, parents, and young people to tailor food to specific preferences or dietary requirements.
Ensure HACCP systems are maintained and all kitchen operations meet health and safety standards.
Maintain kitchen cleanliness and equipment safety, reporting any incidents promptly.
Further responsibilities in the role can be found by downloading the Job Description.
Essential requirements
NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking
Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene
Allergy Awareness training
Experience cooking fresh meals from scratch
Experience managing a kitchen and catering for special diets
Knowledge of HACCP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations
Desirable requirements
NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene (or working towards it)
Experience catering for events
Knowledge of food allergies and intolerances
Further requirements can be found by downloading the Person Specification.
Our Benefits include:
Free onsite parking at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
Eligibility to join blue light card discount scheme and Company Shop.
Healthcare Cashback plan.
Life Assurance.
27 days holiday.
Plus bank holiday allowance but expectation to work bank holidays in this role.
Contributory pension scheme or Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme.
Affordable meals at the Hospice, Lark Rise, Loughborough.
Free Tea, Coffee and Fruit whilst at the Hospice
Free access to an employee assistance programme
Wellbeing support and access to Mental Health First Aiders
Unofficial benefits: Fun events, All staff away days, Guest visitors
For further information about this role and the responsibilities please contact Michael Cayless (Catering Manager) on Michael.cayless@rainbows.co.uk
To apply for the role please click apply now to complete an online application form. If you require an alternative method of applying or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments further, please contact the people team at recruitment@rainbows.co.uk
This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and comprehensive pre-employment screening, including employment referencing covering the past five years.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking.
- Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene.
- Allergy Awareness.
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene or working towards this qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of cooking homemade meals from scratch.
- Experience of preparing fresh food.
- Experience of managing a kitchen
- Understanding of Food Safety Regulations
- Experience of catering for special diets.
- Experience of conducting routine monitoring checks and recording findings
- Working knowledge of HACCAP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations
- Good communication/interpersonal skills
- Ability to teach and support other team members
- Good team work
- Experience of working independently without supervision
- Treats all children, young people and families with dignity, respect and understanding
- Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff, children, parents and visitors
- Ability to work with multi-disciplinary team
- Active and able Chef
- One Team Working together with fairness and respect.
- People Centred Championing inclusivity, compassion and clarity.
- Aim High Adapting, learning and sharing our expertise.
- Own It Focused, committed and accountable.
Desirable
- Experience of catering for events
- Evidence of knowledge of allergies and intolerances.
- High standard of knowledge in
- desserts and cakes
- Knowledge of dietary intake
- for patients at end of life, or
- very serious illness.
- High standards of cleanliness
- and Due Diligence.
- Manual Handling
- Ability to supervise staff and volunteers
- Understanding of Equal Opportunities
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation and Cooking.
- Level 2 Basic Food Hygiene.
- Allergy Awareness.
Desirable
- NVQ Level 3 in Food Safety & Hygiene or working towards this qualification.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of cooking homemade meals from scratch.
- Experience of preparing fresh food.
- Experience of managing a kitchen
- Understanding of Food Safety Regulations
- Experience of catering for special diets.
- Experience of conducting routine monitoring checks and recording findings
- Working knowledge of HACCAP, COSHH & Health and Safety regulations
- Good communication/interpersonal skills
- Ability to teach and support other team members
- Good team work
- Experience of working independently without supervision
- Treats all children, young people and families with dignity, respect and understanding
- Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff, children, parents and visitors
- Ability to work with multi-disciplinary team
- Active and able Chef
- One Team Working together with fairness and respect.
- People Centred Championing inclusivity, compassion and clarity.
- Aim High Adapting, learning and sharing our expertise.
- Own It Focused, committed and accountable.
Desirable
- Experience of catering for events
- Evidence of knowledge of allergies and intolerances.
- High standard of knowledge in
- desserts and cakes
- Knowledge of dietary intake
- for patients at end of life, or
- very serious illness.
- High standards of cleanliness
- and Due Diligence.
- Manual Handling
- Ability to supervise staff and volunteers
- Understanding of Equal Opportunities
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
