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.

Weekend Cook, Residential Home, Wokingham £11.70 per hour 15 Hours Sat & Sun 7am - 2.30pm / Or one weekday and one weekend shift

This Residential Care Home is located within a very easy walking distance from the Town Centre of Wokingham. This home provides care for up to 40 older people who require the support of a secure environment and a higher level of care from our staff members.

We are looking to secure a Cook/Chef to prepare nutritious meals for the care home residents. You will be working 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 be able to work independently and manage the kitchen. This role also caters for special events such as parties and birthdays for the residents.

Some of your varied duties will include :

• Assist in the preparation of innovative and enticing menus.
• Creating high-quality wholesome dishes with fresh produce.
• Working within a budget and maintaining stock control.
• Creativity to collaborate with the Head Chef to deliver well-balanced meals tailored to the needs and preferences of the residents.
• Ensuring meals are prepared to the agreed high standards and deadlines are met.
• Utilising modern kitchen equipment and fresh local produce.
• Ability to prepare and develop full diet sensitive meals for residents.
• Ordering provisions for the menus, working as a team to ensure this is done in a timely and cost effective manner.
• Ensure all kitchen equipment is clean and safe to use.
• As a team confirm the kitchen area is clean, 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 an individual who can show us the following

• Possess a warm and personable approach, genuinely caring for resident’s wellbeing.
• Hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent culinary qualification.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of nutrition.
• Create a welcoming and enjoyable dining environment.
• Self motivated and happy to take responsibility for resolving issues that arise.
• Food Hygiene Certificates (level 2)
• Worked within a stock control or budgetary environment.

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.