Chef
Oxford
Other
£28,392 - £31,157 Pro Rata
Expires: 14/06/2026
Band 4
Permanent
About the Role
Job overview
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Chef to join our catering team. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering a high-quality catering service for patients, staff and visitors, ensuring meals are nutritious, safe, and prepared to the highest standards.
About You
- Relevant experience working as a Chef or in a professional kitchen environment
- Knowledge of food hygiene, food safety legislation and HACCP
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties
- Commitment to ongoing training and development
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
-
- Prepare, cook and present food in line with agreed menus, nutritional guidelines and quality standards
- Support the delivery of specialist dietary requirements in collaboration with clinical teams
- Maintain excellent hygiene standards and ensure compliance with food safety legislation and HACCP procedures
- Monitor day-to-day catering standards to ensure a consistent and high-quality service
- Receive, check and store deliveries in line with food safety procedures
- Maintain accurate food safety documentation and records
- Support effective stock control and minimise waste
Working for our organisation
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
• Excellent opportunities for career progression
• Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
• Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We hope that the advert has given you a clear understanding of the skills we are seeking and the opportunity at hand. You will need to use the “supporting statement” element of your application form to demonstrate your suitability for this role and you should refer to the job description, person specification and the guidance notes attached to this role to help you tailor your application.
The essential and desirable criteria will be used to shortlist for interview and you should ensure that you refer to these within your application to increase your chances of being selected for interview.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- Ability to manage workload, prioritise tasks, and deliver meals to deadlines in a busy kitchen environment
Customer / Service User Focus
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates an understanding of delivering a high-quality food service that meets the needs and preferences of service users, including respect, dignity, and individual choice
Essential criteria
- Guidance: Holds Level 2 Food Safety certificate minimum (Level 3 desirable)
- Experience working in a professional kitchen or catering environment (healthcare, commercial or similar)
- Experience preparing balanced, nutritious meals and catering for different dietary needs (e.g. allergens, cultural diets, texture-modified diets)
- Knowledge of basic kitchen safety, food hygiene, and safe systems of work
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in an NHS or care environment
- Training in allergen management or special diets
- NVQ Level 2/3 in Professional Cookery or equivalent
- Experience with menu planning and stock control
Documents to Download
Guidance Notes for Candidates Applying for a job at OHFT (PDF, 424.6KB)
Recruiter Contact Details
Name: Ellen Gaughan
Title: Facilities Support Manager
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01865 902191