Optalis is the adult social care delivery partner on behalf of Wokingham Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Council. Optalis is owned and funded by the 2 Councils. Optalis is not a private provider or an employment agency.


CHEF - Full Time £27,783.24
The Hollies Nursing Home, Burghfield Common RG7 3BH


Hollies Nursing and Residential Home, located in Burghfield Common, offers a warm and welcoming environment dedicated to providing exceptional care for individuals who require support of a secure environment and a clinical level of care.


We are looking to secure an individual to assist the Head Chef to prepare nutritious meals for the home individuals.


Working within a team to ensure the smooth running of day to day tasks and the standards of food and kitchen hygiene is met.


You will be expected to work independently and manage the Kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence. This role will require working rotational weekends.


The role also caters for special events such as parties and birthdays for the people we support. Our culinary team is passionate about providing an exceptional dining experience that celebrates creativity and quality.


Some of the duties will involve -


*Assist in the preparation of innovative and enticing menus.
*Creating high-quality wholesome dishes with fresh produce.
*Creativity to collaborate with the Head Chef to deliver well-balanced meals tailored to the needs and preferences of the people we support.
*Ensuring meals are prepared to the agreed high standards and deadlines are met.
*Ability to prepare and develop full diet sensitive meals as agreed for the individuals we support..
*Utilising modern kitchen equipment .
*Ensure all kitchen equipment is clean and safe to use in accordance with cleaning schedules such as daily, monthly and quarterly basis as identified.
*Check and record freshness and quality of food delivered, ensuring all temperatures are recorded correctly.
*Audit that food is sorted correctly, labelled, rotated and the use by dates are met.


We are looking for someone that
*Possesses a warm and personable approach, genuinely caring for the people we support wellbeing.
*Holds a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent culinary qualification.
*Demonstrates a good understanding of nutrition.
*Creates a welcoming and enjoyable dining environment.
*Self motivated and happy to take responsibility for resolving issues that arise.
*Holds Food Hygiene Certificates (level 2)
*Worked within a stock control or budgetary environment.


Able to work alternative weekends.


Working for Optalis you will also receive a range of benefits, including:
*A Perkbox rewards package offering discounts on cinema, shopping, health, travel and insurance
*25 days annual leave (pro rata) rising annually to a maximum of 30 days with 8 bank holidays, and an extra day off for your birthday
*An additional health and wellbeing day
*A comprehensive paid training and development programme
*Excellent career progression opportunities and support
*As a valued and integral member of the team you will have a voice in the service and forums to be heard and make a difference
*STAR awards – a reward scheme which recognises staff who have gone the extra mile
*A generous pension scheme
Optalis is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our staff and customers. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check and will need to provide proof of their right to work in the UK.
We anticipate this being a popular role and therefore reserve the right to close early should there be a large volume of applications. We would therefore advise not to wait until the closing date to submit your interest.