Job summary
20 Hours per week If you are passionate about caring for the elderly and want to build a long-term career in one of our award-winning homes, then look no further than Akari Care. Our aim is to create an environment where our residents are valued, respected, and are offered the personalised care they deserve. We now seek an Assistant Cook who is passionate about, and thrives on, making a real and positive difference to the lives of older people. An important part of the day for our residents is based around mealtimes. At Akari Care we take immense pride in ensuring that what is prepared in the kitchen is of outstanding quality, wholesome and nutritious. At the same time, we always ensure that we are mindful and conscientious about individual needs, religious and cultural backgrounds. We continually assess how this might impact meal choices, alongside making sure that all our residents feel that they have a personalised service. As the pivotal link between the kitchen and the serving areas you will have the autonomy to create menus, plate up and arrange food trollies in an attractive way for our residents to gain enthusiasm and a stimulated appetite to eat.

Main duties of the job
The Assistant Cook at Akari Care is a pivotal role, designed for someone who is passionate about caring for the elderly and providing personalized, high-quality food service. In a supportive and respectful environment, you'll be part of a team making a real difference in residents' lives. The role focuses on more than just cooking; it's about creating menus and serving food that takes into account individual dietary needs, religious considerations, and cultural backgrounds. Your expertise will ensure that mealtimes are not only nutritious but pleasurable experiences. You'll be instrumental in crafting dishes that meet the nutritional needs and taste preferences of residents, always aiming for excellence in each dish. The Assistant Cook will also engage with residents, providing insights and guidance to less experienced staff. This is a rewarding opportunity to grow your skills while offering seasoned care and service. Moreover, as part of your duties, you'll take a leadership approach, motivating your team to achieve common goals while maintaining a warm and engaging persona. Benefits include a competitive salary, pension contributions, development opportunities, as well as recognition and referral schemes.

About us
Akari Care is renowned for its exceptional care for the elderly, aiming to foster environments where residents are both respected and valued. As an award-winning establishment, Akari Care is dedicated to personal excellence in healthcare, employing innovative methods to ensure that each resident receives the best possible service tailored to their specific needs. The organisation holds mealtimes in high regard, meticulously monitoring food quality and nutrition while considering individual dietary requirements and cultural sensitivities. The organisational culture at Akari Care is community centric, focusing on compassion and personal growth while providing care. Employees are encouraged to pursue career development opportunities, supported by extensive training and development programs. Akari Care prizes flexibility, aiming to balance staff needs with operational demands while maintaining high service standards. The organisation invests in their staff with engagement in recognition programs and referral incentives alongside the benefits of pension contributions, providing a structured environment for career and personal development.

Job responsibilities
20 Hours per week If you are passionate about caring for the elderly and want to build a long-term career in one of our award-winning homes, then look no further than Akari Care. Our aim is to create an environment where our residents are valued, respected, and are offered the personalised care they deserve.

We now seek an Assistant Cook who is passionate about, and thrives on, making a real and positive difference to the lives of older people.

An important part of the day for our residents is based around mealtimes. At Akari Care we take immense pride in ensuring that what is prepared in the kitchen is of outstanding quality, wholesome and nutritious. At the same time, we always ensure that we are mindful and conscientious about individual needs, religious and cultural backgrounds. We continually assess how this might impact meal choices, alongside making sure that all our residents feel that they have a personalised service.

As the pivotal link between the kitchen and the serving areas you will have the autonomy to create menus, plate up and arrange food trollies in an attractive way for our residents to gain enthusiasm and a stimulated appetite to eat.

Playing a fundamental and integral part of our united and extended care team, you will be afforded the scope to coach a team into creating ideas and seeing them through as part of their own personal development needs.

By showing us, you can match our values with the right desire for personalised excellence, community spirit and a kind, caring and compassionate nature, we, in return, can offer you a career developing your knowledge, skills and abilities to support vulnerable adults with the care their individual needs require.

What we require from you:

• City & Guilds 706 1&2, or equivalent (achieved or working towards)
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Assistant Cook or Cook experience with similar environment /surrounding.
• Supervisory or Line Management experience
• A caring nature to give everyone a personal approach.
• Proven ability to lead by example, motivate a team and delegate effectively.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes at short notice.
• Warm, approachable, and engaging persona
• Respect everyone, treating others as you would expect to be treated.
• Resilient and adaptable to differing needs of colleagues and residents.

What is in it for you:

• A competitive salary
• Pension contribution of 5%
• Recognition schemes and rewarding referral schemes.
• Uniform provided and DBS check costs paid.
• 28 days annual leave (based on full-time hours, including Bank Holidays)
• Flexible working patterns
• Fully funded training and development
• Support with personal development plans.
• The opportunity to gain experience and develop both personally and professionally.
• An engaging community environment where everyone is respected and included.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• City & Guilds 706 1&2, or equivalent (achieved or working towards), Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

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