Elysium Healthcare

Junior Cook / Commis Chef

The closing date is 11 March 2026

Job summary

This is a Junior Cook or Commis Chef role at Rhodes Wood Hospital, part of Elysium Healthcare. The role involves preparing and cooking meals to a consistently high standard, maintaining good food storage and stock rotation, and supporting the smooth running of the kitchen. The successful candidate will work in a calm and supportive environment, with opportunities to unleash their creativity and contribute to menu planning.

Main duties of the job

As a Junior Cook or Commis Chef, you will be responsible for the hygiene and smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen department, ensuring all food resources are used efficiently and maintaining good storage and stock rotation procedures. You will contribute to menu planning, participate in food costings, and prepare and cook meals to a consistently high standard. The role also involves assisting in food service and coordinating the production and distribution of food throughout the hospital.

About us

Elysium Healthcare is a leading provider of mental health, neurological, learning disabilities and autism services, with over 90 services across England and Wales. The company is part of the global Ramsay Health Care network, employing over 86,000 people worldwide.

Details

Date posted

12 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,058 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

1461869834

Job locations

Elysium Healthcare

Hertfordshire

AL9 6NN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Ready for a Junior Cook or Commis Chef role that lets you unleash your creativity? If so, join Rhodes Wood Hospital as a Junior Cook or Commis Chef and work alongside a dedicated team in a calm and supportive environment. You’ll become a crucial part of the kitchen team, crafting daily meals for service users, staff, and visitors, while also catering for exciting events and special occasions—from World Food Day to festive celebrations like Christmas and Easter. This is your chance to infuse your own flair and keep things fresh and exciting.

Your role goes beyond cooking. You’ll assist in the smooth running of the kitchen, supporting the Head Chef and adhering to food safety protocols. You’ll help plan and test new recipes to see if they’re viable and within budget, receive and organise deliveries, and maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment. From preparing meals for everyday service to catering for events, you’ll play a key role in ensuring quality and consistency.

This is a hands-on position with a great social aspect, giving you the chance to interact with people outside the kitchen regularly. Imagine job satisfaction, creativity, and a balanced work-life combo—home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week.

Our kitchen operates between 7am until 5pm there are 3 shifts which is 7am-3pm, 8am-4pm and 9am-5pm. The Junior Cook/Commis Chef will be mostly needed for 7am-3pm and two weekends per month 9am-3pm which will enable you get the hours back as time owed. 37.5 hours per week.    

As a Junior Cook or Commis Chef you will be:

  • Responsible for the hygiene throughout the department, ensuring Elysium Healthcare’s Corporate Health and Safety and Food Hygiene Policies are maintained.
  • Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the department.
  • Responsible for ensuring all food resources are used in the most efficient way possible.
  • Responsible for maintaining good storage procedures and stock rotation.
  • Assist in planning for long and short term requirements of the department and changes required by the facility.
  • Ensuring all food documentation is filled out correctly
  • Contribute to planning menu’s taking into account special nutritional, dietary and ethnic needs.
  • Participate in food costings through effective cost control procedures
  • Maintain good food storage procedures and stock rotation according to established procedures.
  • Prepare and cook meals to a consistently high standard.
  • Present and package food as required for distribution.
  • Assist in food service when necessary
  • Co-ordinate the production and distribution of food throughout the hospital.

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

  • To be 18 years of age or over
  • Food preparation techniques (cutting, slicing, filleting, marinating, roasting, grilling, sautéing, baking, and steaming)
  • Menu planning and development
  • Food safety and sanitation standards (Proper storage, cross contamination prevention)
  • Nutrition principles and dietary needs (allergies, intolerances, special diets)
  • Kitchen equipment operation (ovens, grills, fryers, mixers, knives)
  • Food safety level 2/3
  • Time management and multi station coordination

 Where you will be working:

Location: Rhodes Wood Hospital. Shepherds Way, Hatfield AL9 6NN

Join the team at Rhodes Wood Hospital providing care for children and young people aged 8-18 years with eating disorders who require residential care, working on tailored treatment programmes designed for the individual needs of each young person.

There is also an on-site Ofsted Registered school to support young people continue with their education while in hospital. Rhodes Wood Hospital is located on the outskirts of Hatfield, which is easily reachable by car.

 What You’ll Get:

At Elysium Healthcare, we believe in taking care of the people who care for others, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and future: 

  • Annual base salary of £25,058
  • The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window. 
  • Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals 
  • Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely-Vate; Your one-stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and wellbeing hub! 
  • Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance 
  • Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts 
  • Life Assurance, for added peace of mind 
  • Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support. 
  • 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be 
  • Enhanced Maternity Package, so you can truly enjoy this special time 
  • Pension contribution, to help secure your future 
  • Free/subsidised meals and onsite/local free parking 

About your next employer: 

Elysium Health care has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 90 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.  

Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.  

Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Job description

Job responsibilities

Ready for a Junior Cook or Commis Chef role that lets you unleash your creativity? If so, join Rhodes Wood Hospital as a Junior Cook or Commis Chef and work alongside a dedicated team in a calm and supportive environment. You’ll become a crucial part of the kitchen team, crafting daily meals for service users, staff, and visitors, while also catering for exciting events and special occasions—from World Food Day to festive celebrations like Christmas and Easter. This is your chance to infuse your own flair and keep things fresh and exciting.

Your role goes beyond cooking. You’ll assist in the smooth running of the kitchen, supporting the Head Chef and adhering to food safety protocols. You’ll help plan and test new recipes to see if they’re viable and within budget, receive and organise deliveries, and maintain a clean and safe kitchen environment. From preparing meals for everyday service to catering for events, you’ll play a key role in ensuring quality and consistency.

This is a hands-on position with a great social aspect, giving you the chance to interact with people outside the kitchen regularly. Imagine job satisfaction, creativity, and a balanced work-life combo—home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week.

Our kitchen operates between 7am until 5pm there are 3 shifts which is 7am-3pm, 8am-4pm and 9am-5pm. The Junior Cook/Commis Chef will be mostly needed for 7am-3pm and two weekends per month 9am-3pm which will enable you get the hours back as time owed. 37.5 hours per week.    

As a Junior Cook or Commis Chef you will be:

  • Responsible for the hygiene throughout the department, ensuring Elysium Healthcare’s Corporate Health and Safety and Food Hygiene Policies are maintained.
  • Ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the department.
  • Responsible for ensuring all food resources are used in the most efficient way possible.
  • Responsible for maintaining good storage procedures and stock rotation.
  • Assist in planning for long and short term requirements of the department and changes required by the facility.
  • Ensuring all food documentation is filled out correctly
  • Contribute to planning menu’s taking into account special nutritional, dietary and ethnic needs.
  • Participate in food costings through effective cost control procedures
  • Maintain good food storage procedures and stock rotation according to established procedures.
  • Prepare and cook meals to a consistently high standard.
  • Present and package food as required for distribution.
  • Assist in food service when necessary
  • Co-ordinate the production and distribution of food throughout the hospital.

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

  • To be 18 years of age or over
  • Food preparation techniques (cutting, slicing, filleting, marinating, roasting, grilling, sautéing, baking, and steaming)
  • Menu planning and development
  • Food safety and sanitation standards (Proper storage, cross contamination prevention)
  • Nutrition principles and dietary needs (allergies, intolerances, special diets)
  • Kitchen equipment operation (ovens, grills, fryers, mixers, knives)
  • Food safety level 2/3
  • Time management and multi station coordination

 Where you will be working:

Location: Rhodes Wood Hospital. Shepherds Way, Hatfield AL9 6NN

Join the team at Rhodes Wood Hospital providing care for children and young people aged 8-18 years with eating disorders who require residential care, working on tailored treatment programmes designed for the individual needs of each young person.

There is also an on-site Ofsted Registered school to support young people continue with their education while in hospital. Rhodes Wood Hospital is located on the outskirts of Hatfield, which is easily reachable by car.

 What You’ll Get:

At Elysium Healthcare, we believe in taking care of the people who care for others, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and future: 

  • Annual base salary of £25,058
  • The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window. 
  • Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals 
  • Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely-Vate; Your one-stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and wellbeing hub! 
  • Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance 
  • Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts 
  • Life Assurance, for added peace of mind 
  • Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support. 
  • 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be 
  • Enhanced Maternity Package, so you can truly enjoy this special time 
  • Pension contribution, to help secure your future 
  • Free/subsidised meals and onsite/local free parking 

About your next employer: 

Elysium Health care has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 90 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.  

Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.  

Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You should be 18 years of age or over, with experience in food preparation techniques, menu planning and development, food safety and sanitation standards, nutrition principles and dietary needs, and kitchen equipment operation. You should also have a Food Safety Level 2/3 qualification and demonstrate strong time management and multi-station coordination skills.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You should be 18 years of age or over, with experience in food preparation techniques, menu planning and development, food safety and sanitation standards, nutrition principles and dietary needs, and kitchen equipment operation. You should also have a Food Safety Level 2/3 qualification and demonstrate strong time management and multi-station coordination skills.

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

Elysium Healthcare

Address

Elysium Healthcare

Hertfordshire

AL9 6NN


Employer's website

https://www.elysiumhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Elysium Healthcare

Address

Elysium Healthcare

Hertfordshire

AL9 6NN


Employer's website

https://www.elysiumhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Team

Elysium Healthcare

recruitment@elysiumhealthcare.co.uk

Details

Date posted

12 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,058 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

1461869834

Job locations

Elysium Healthcare

Hertfordshire

AL9 6NN


Privacy notice

Elysium Healthcare's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)