East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Chef - Rye Hospital

The closing date is 27 November 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a qualified Chef to join the Rye Hospital Catering Team and support other ESHT sites as required.This is a varied role that requires the ability to work independently. Key responsibilities include:

Preparing, cooking, and serving meals for patients and staff at Rye Memorial Hospital, including accommodating special dietary requirements.
Maintaining high hygiene standards through regular cleaning and compliance with food safety protocols.
Managing stock by placing orders for provisions and cleaning chemicals with approved suppliers.

If you are passionate about delivering quality meals and maintaining exceptional standards, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities:

Prepare, cook, and serve meals for patients at Rye Memorial Hospital and other sites as required, including meeting special dietary needs.
Order provisions and cleaning chemicals from Trust-authorised suppliers.
Liaise with ward staff, patients, and delivery teams as necessary.
Maintain exceptional hygiene standards within all kitchen areas.

For full details, please refer to the job description.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Date posted

14 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

374-LC17225

Job locations

Rye Memorial

Peasmarsh Road

Rye

TN31 7UD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description.

For any further questions or queries, please contact the appointing manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description.

For any further questions or queries, please contact the appointing manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Evidence of basic standard of education
City & Guilds 7061/7062 or equivalent qualifications
Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Desirable

Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate

Experience

Essential

Evidence of career path in a similar Role

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

Essential

Knowledge of HACCP
Good organisational skills
Able to work under pressure
Able to work on own initiative and at times unsupervised

Desirable

Knowledge of special diets

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Evidence of basic standard of education
City & Guilds 7061/7062 or equivalent qualifications
Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Desirable

Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate

Experience

Essential

Evidence of career path in a similar Role

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

Essential

Knowledge of HACCP
Good organisational skills
Able to work under pressure
Able to work on own initiative and at times unsupervised

Desirable

Knowledge of special diets

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Rye Memorial

Peasmarsh Road

Rye

TN31 7UD

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Rye Memorial

Peasmarsh Road

Rye

TN31 7UD

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)