Chef

Chef

Closing date is 27 July 2026

To carry out duties to the required standards as efficiently and effectively as part of the catering team, to provide a high‑quality service providing safe and nutritious food to patients, staff and visitors in compliance with Food Safety Regulations.

Main duties of the job

• Prepare, cook and serve all types of meals/snacks for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers, applying daily menu choice.
• Ensure all patients and staff receive a nourishing well‑balanced diet.
• Work within all areas of kitchen production (ward based or retail) for Alder Hey.
• Follow the direction of the Catering Manager and Head Chef Manager regarding daily production needs.
• Be responsible for cleaning the equipment and work area of the current work station.
• Taste and check all food produced and report any issues immediately to the Head Chef Manager.
• Produce all meals to the specified recipe exactly.
• Produce meals satisfying the specific dietary needs of patients.
• Ensure food production standards are of the highest quality and the production meets the specified times of service.
• Ensure food is professionally presented and all meals requested are promptly dispatched at correct service times.
• Maintain correct stock levels and follow guidelines on storage of food items.
• Follow set production levels to minimise stock wastage.
• Maintain high standards of personal hygiene and working methods.
• Maintain a safe working environment at all times.
• Ensure food meets safe temperature guidelines (see HACCP policy).
• Keep equipment clean and in good working order.
• Ensure food is covered, labelled, within use by date and placed in a fridge when not in use.
• Report all accidents and pest incidents immediately following the correct procedure.
• Be aware of COSHH and PPE requirements for your own safety and that of the workplace.
• Be familiar with Alder Hey policies relating to Fire, Health and Safety and COSHH regulations and keep mandatory training up to date.
• Comply with Health and Safety and Manual Handling Guidelines.
• Carry out any other reasonable duty or task required by Catering Management.
• Report any incident of theft or contravention of fire procedures immediately.

Communication

• Maintain communications with patients to ensure their nutritional needs and all special requirements are met.
• Plan and prepare daily menus/special diets in consultation with other staff (i.e. medical and nursing teams) to meet all patient requirements ensuring sufficient food.
• Liaise daily with patients, ward staff, volunteers and visitors regarding all aspects of the catering service, including gathering regular feedback on food quality and service.

General responsibilities

• Adhere to all health and safety and fire regulations and cooperate with the Trust in maintaining good standards of health and safety.
• Adhere to all information governance, privacy and security policies, standards, guidelines and procedures; practice and promote secure behaviours.
• Adhere to all Alder Hey NHS Trust policies and procedures at all times.
• Actively promote and support safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children, observing and adhering to Trust policies.
• Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner likely to bring the Trust into disrepute.
• Promote and sustain a responsible attitude towards equal opportunities and diversity within the Trust.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing registration requirements or national professional or occupational standards associated with the role.
• Demonstrate commitment to ongoing learning and development and participate in training relevant to the role.

Person Specification

Personal attributes

• Team player
• Flexible
• Reliable
• Self‑motivated

Education and training

• 706/1 City and Guilds or equivalent
• 706/2 City and Guilds or equivalent
• Basic food hygiene qualification
• Intermediate food hygiene certification

Experience

• Relevant previous catering experience
• Experience of providing catering services
• Experience in a similar role/type of organisation

Knowledge

• Knowledge of current food hygiene legislation
• Experience of HACCP
• Experience of COSHH

Skills

• Organisational skills
• A flexible and creative approach to problem solving and service development

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and therefore a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions is required.

Salary

£25,760 to £27,476 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full‑time

Reference number

411‑COR‑26‑8119537

Job locations

Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

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