Chef (Permanent)

Job Title: Chef

Location: Blackheath

Salary: £13.77 per hour

Job Type: Permanent - Full time, 37.5 hours per week (5:30pm finish)

Morden College is a charity dedicated to enabling a life-lived independence for the older people they provide homes for, through life, as they grow older. Morden College has enriched the lives of its residents as well as their families, over the last 300 years. The Charity's core purpose is to provide older people who are in need with a home for life within its beautiful grounds, with amazing facilities and surrounded by its caring people, who work tirelessly to provide the highest quality of care.

Our most valuable resource are the people within Morden College; they provide the supportive, caring and inclusive environment both for colleagues and for our Residents. Our Culture encourages and supports creativity, celebrates our differences and the similarities that draw us together as a community and promote the highest standards of individual behaviour and accountability in everything we do.

Our team of passionate Chefs prepare delicious meals using excellent quality of nutritious fresh food for our colleagues, our Residents and their families. Our 60 seats cover Café is located within the John Morden Centre, which is a vibrant space where people meet, eat, take part to fun events, develop and enjoy a variety of interesting hobbies. Our Chefs also provide our Care Home Residents with a personalised service that caters for a variety of dietary needs ensuring that our Residents have access to a healthy and balanced diet all year round.

Morden College is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Job Purpose:

Prepare, cook and present food safely and efficiently using high quality ingredients according to the College standards, health and safety and food hygiene practices. Work collaboratively with other Chefs and contribute with new ideas to support the Kitchens Manager in the creation of new dishes and update of seasonal menus. Contribute to create a safe and fun work environment.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Always ensure the cleanliness and tidiness of the kitchen and back of house areas
• Ensure that the equipment is clean and safe to use
• Regularly check inventory levels
• Check the quality and freshness of ingredients before use
• Cook healthy and nutritious dishes in accordance with our menus
• Adapt recipes to cater for special dietary requirements where needed
• Complete all appropriate company documentation, due diligence records and key tasks during your shift
• Comply with statutory and organisational requirements including but not limited to Health and Safety, Food Safety and Fire Safety
• Keep wastage to a minimum and ensure that wastage recording procedures are followed
• Deal with deliveries and report any loss or damages to the Manager or Supervisor on duty
• Work safely with kitchen equipment and report any maintenance issues to the Manager or Supervisor on duty
• Keep knowledge up to date by completing mandatory and CPD training online and/or face-to-face
• Adhere to the College standards, policies and procedures
• Carry out management team requests and instructions

Skills, Qualifications and Experiences:

• Relevant professional qualification or proven experience in a similar role or food production operation
• Level 3 Food Safety certificate
• First Aid certificate (desirable)
• Environmental awareness (desirable)
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Ability to motivate and inspire others
• Ability to work well under pressure and remain level-headed during busy times
• Located within commutable distance to Morden College
• Menu planning and food service development (desirable)

Benefits:

• We will provide you with Enhanced Annual Leave
• CPD opportunities through a generous learning and development budget
• Career Development Opportunities
• Online Wellness Hub
• Health Assessments
• Free Perks and Discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Discounts on food and drinks in our Café
• Enhanced Pension; Life Assurance
• Employee Referral Scheme
• EV charging points available
• Free on-site parking

Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for this role.

Candidates with the relevant experience or job titles of: Experienced Chef, Kitchen Chef, Catering, Food Catering, Catering Chef, Chef Assistant, Food Preparation, Cook, Kitchen Manager, Food Hygiene, Kitchen Supervisor may also be considered for this role.