Assistant Chef
About this role
Assistant Chef (Part-Time) — The Donnington Care Home
Position: Assistant Chef
Location: The Donnington Care Home, Wantage Road, Donnington, Newbury, RG14 3BE (Note: Own transport is required due to the home's scenic countryside location)
Ratings: CQC Rating: Good | Carehome.co.uk Rating: 9.7 / 10
Employment Type: Permanent, Part-Time (30 hours per week)
Salary: £14.09 to £15.59 per hour, depending on experience
About Us
As a supportive bridge staffing agency, we are proud to connect dedicated culinary professionals with exceptional residential environments. We are currently recruiting on behalf of The Donnington Care Home—a converted red-brick Victorian house offering scenic countryside surroundings, high-end care, and a vibrant community atmosphere where the chef team works hard to craft menus that please every resident.
Role Overview
We are seeking a passionate, innovative, and experienced Assistant Chef to join our fantastic kitchen team. In this pivotal role, you will use fresh ingredients to create varied, nutritionally balanced, home-cooked meals, helping to deliver an excellent dining experience that makes our residents feel right at home.
Key Responsibilities:
Use your passion for cooking and fresh ingredients to create varied and nutritional menus tailored to the dietary needs and preferences of our residents.
Train and manage the kitchen team in the preparation, cooking, and serving of food, putting forward fresh ideas to enhance the dining experience.
Adhere strictly to COSHH and HACCP guidelines, company policies, budgets, and stock management for orders and deliveries.
Cater for special events and seasonal activities, such as summer fetes, Christmas parties, and resident birthdays.
Key Requirements & Qualifications
A true passion for cooking with previous experience working in a fresh food kitchen and relevant hygiene certificates.
An innovative approach to cooking combined with a strong commitment to food safety and high kitchen standards.
Excellent communication skills and a warm personality, enjoying those little moments sharing your love of food with our residents.
Note: Access to your own transport is essential due to the rural location of the home.
Exceptional Benefits Package
Working through our staffing partnership at The Donnington unlocks an incredible array of wellbeing rewards and financial perks:
Pay & Hours: Competitive hourly rate (£14.09 – £15.59/hr) on a permanent 30-hour part-time contract.
Health & Wellbeing: 24/7 My Healthcare access (remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, and mental health support), a ~£350 annual healthcare product allowance, and a specialized Menopause Plan.
Workplace Perks: Free meal on every shift, 28 days holiday, and an enhanced frontline sick pay scheme for financial reassurance during absences.
Financial Flexibility & Support: Wagestream (early access to up to 40% of earned wages instantly), interest-free annual travel loans, and competitive Bupa pension plans.