Job Description:

Assistant Chef / Second Chef

Location: The Sidcup Care Home, 2-8 Hatherley Road, Sidcup DA14 4BG

Contract: Permanent - Full Time

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £13.89 – £15.40 per hour (depending on experience)

CQC rating: Good

Carehome.co.uk rating: 9.6 / 10

We’re looking for a talented and enthusiastic Assistant Chef / Second Chef to join our friendly team at The Sidcup Care Home. If you have a passion for fresh food, enjoy creating nutritious and delicious meals, and want to make a real difference to the lives of our residents, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

As an Assistant Chef, you'll work closely alongside and report directly to the Chef Manager, supporting them in the day-to-day running of the kitchen and ensuring an exceptional dining experience for our residents.

You'll play a key role in delivering high-quality food and service by:

• Preparing and cooking high-quality, nutritious meals using fresh ingredients.
• Creating varied menus that cater for individual dietary requirements, preferences and nutritional needs.
• Supporting residents to feel at home through excellent food and dining experiences.
• Helping to lead, train and motivate kitchen team members in food preparation, cooking and service standards.
• Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene and cleanliness in line with HACCP, COSHH and company procedures.
• Assisting with stock control, ordering and budget management.
• Supporting special events and celebrations, including birthday parties, seasonal events and themed dining experiences.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be someone who genuinely enjoys cooking and takes pride in producing nutritious, well-presented meals. You’ll also have:

• Previous experience working in a fresh food kitchen environment.
• Relevant food hygiene qualifications/certificates.
• A good understanding of food safety and hygiene standards.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• A positive and flexible approach, with a willingness to bring new ideas to the kitchen.
• A passion for enhancing residents’ wellbeing through great food and meaningful interactions.
• Most importantly, you’ll enjoy building relationships with residents and making every meal a memorable experience.

Why Join Bupa?

Our benefits are designed to support your health, wellbeing and financial security. As part of the team, you’ll receive:

• My Healthcare – 24/7 access to GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and more.
• Annual healthcare allowance worth approximately £350 to spend on selected Bupa healthcare products.
• Stream – access up to 40% of your earned wages before payday.
• Enhanced sick pay scheme for frontline colleagues.
• Free meal on every shift.
• Long service rewards including additional holiday and recognition awards.
• Interest-free annual travel loan.
• Bupa pension schemes.
• Discounts at a wide range of gyms and fitness facilities.

Access to Viva, our global wellbeing programme supporting physical, mental, financial, social and environmental wellbeing.

About The Sidcup Care Home

The home is a purpose-built with modern comforts and conveniences. It prides itself on its warm and homely environment where residents can relax and feel safe inside the home and in the gardens. All bedrooms have en suite facilities and are furnished to a high standard.

At mealtimes a wide range of nutritious dishes are offered, always made with fresh ingredients. Residents’ dietary needs and personal preferences are always taken into account by the chef. The chef will visit residents to make tailored menus if necessary.

There are regular tea rounds throughout the day with fresh cakes after lunch.

Be You at Bupa

At Bupa, diversity is at the heart of who we are. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

We are proud to be a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

Apply today and help us make health happen.

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