The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Chef

The closing date is 26 August 2025

Job summary

We are looking for dynamic enthusiastic chefs to join our expanding In-house fresh cook catering team as we strive to give patients, staff and visitors Nutrition and Hydration of the highest standards possible.

We Cater for the needs of Patients and the Alexandra Restaurant & caf.

Joining our team will give you opportunities to broaden your range of knowledge to include an understanding of needs of the elderly, young and vulnerable and offer a sense of contributing to the health and wellbeing of NHS users ,

Working for the NHS team offers you Paid Annual leave , access to the NHS Pension scheme and the No split shifts !

Main duties of the job

To work within a team producing a high standard of food production for the patient, staff and visitors of the Trust, which meets with all current Hygiene and Health & Safety legislation. To provide a high-quality catering service in line with standards, objectives and policy of the catering department for the patients, staff and visitors at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust.

o The duties will include food preparation, cooking and serving of meals to patients, staff and visitors of the hospital as laid down in the patient selective menu systems, using recognised recipes and methods. Always aiming to achieve the highest possible standard.

About us

Our Organisation

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop's Stortford, and St Margaret's Hospital in Epping.

We employ 3,500 staff and serve a local population of around 350,000 people living in west Essex and east Hertfordshire, centred on the M11 corridor and the towns of Harlow, Bishop's Stortford and Epping. Our extended catchment area incorporates a population of up to 500,000 and includes the areas of Hoddesdon, Cheshunt and Broxbourne in Hertfordshire.

Our Values

The Princess Alexandra Promise to our patients as identified by our 3 values which will contribute to improving our patient experiences:

Patient at heart - Always holding the patient and their wellbeing at the centre of our thoughts and efforts

Everyday excellence - Sharing and celebrating our successes, being honest when we get it wrong, giving us the ability to learn from both

Creative collaboration - Knowing strength comes from diversity, we combine our experiences, skills and talents, working together to find new and better ways to care

The Trust believes in investing in all our staff and rewarding high standards of care whilst building for excellence and in return we expect our staff to uphold the Trust values to the highest level.

Details

Date posted

12 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per annum, pro rata plus 5% high cost area supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

292-7374122-E&F

Job locations

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Hamstel Road

Harlow

CM20 1QX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job description and person specification for the full job details. This is available to download at any time.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Job description and person specification for the full job details. This is available to download at any time.

Person Specification

essential

Essential

  • GCSE qualifications
  • Knowledge of Catering laws

Desirable

  • Previous large scale catering experience
  • Passion for cooking and fresh ingredients

essential

Essential

  • Level 2 food hygiene
  • level 2 allergen training
  • NVQ level 2 or Equivalent In food production/Catering
  • basic I.T Skills

Desirable

  • level 3 food hygiene
  • Level 3 allergen training
  • NVQ Level 3 in Catering
  • Previous NHS Catering experience
Person Specification

essential

Essential

  • GCSE qualifications
  • Knowledge of Catering laws

Desirable

  • Previous large scale catering experience
  • Passion for cooking and fresh ingredients

essential

Essential

  • Level 2 food hygiene
  • level 2 allergen training
  • NVQ level 2 or Equivalent In food production/Catering
  • basic I.T Skills

Desirable

  • level 3 food hygiene
  • Level 3 allergen training
  • NVQ Level 3 in Catering
  • Previous NHS Catering experience

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Hamstel Road

Harlow

CM20 1QX


Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Hamstel Road

Harlow

CM20 1QX


Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Catering Manager

Graham Parker

graham.parker2@nhs.net

07732563044

Details

Date posted

12 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year Per annum, pro rata plus 5% high cost area supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

292-7374122-E&F

Job locations

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Hamstel Road

Harlow

CM20 1QX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)