About the Role
Menu Planning & Meal Preparation
Plan and prepare all meals, snacks, and fortified options each shift according to the agreed menu cycle, ensuring 100% adherence to residents’ dietary requirements, preferences, and cultural needs. Meals must be presented consistently to a high standard.
Specialist Dietary Needs
Prepare and serve meals that meet all documented medical or dietary requirements (e.g., allergies, intolerances, diabetes, weight management), ensuring 100% compliance with texture-modified diets in line with IDDSI guidance. Report any discrepancies or changes in resident needs immediately.
Kitchen Hygiene & Food Safety Compliance
Maintain 100% compliance with food hygiene, cleanliness, and infection control standards every shift. Complete all required HACCP, SFBB, COSHH, and temperature records accurately before end of shift, reporting any equipment faults immediately to management.
Stock Control & Budget Management
Conduct stock rotation (“first in, first out”) every shift and complete accurate stock records weekly. Ensure all food ordering follows supplier procedures and operates within agreed budget guidelines, minimising waste.
Record Keeping
Complete all kitchen documentation—including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, stock sheets, allergy records, and delivery checks—by the end of each shift with 100% accuracy and in accordance with company and regulatory standards.
Resident Dignity, Choice & Engagement
Ensure residents’ dignity, choice, and independence are supported during mealtimes. Obtain feedback from at least three residents weekly (directly or via staff) and use this to adapt menus or meal presentation where appropriate.
Team Collaboration
Communicate effectively with care staff, Senior Carers, and management to ensure accurate dietary information is followed. Attend and actively participate in team or kitchen meetings per year.
Training & Professional Development
Maintain 100% completion of all mandatory training modules (e.g., Food Hygiene Level 2/3, infection control, allergens, IDDSI) and attend refresher sessions on time without the need for reminders.
Health & Safety
Ensure full compliance with all health and safety requirements every shift, including safe use of equipment, PPE, COSHH control, and regular kitchen risk assessments. Report hazards immediately to management.
Continuous Improvement
Propose at least one idea every 6 months to improve food quality, resident satisfaction, kitchen efficiency, or compliance processes. Support implementation of improvements when requested.
Professional Conduct
Receive no more than one written warning related to conduct, timekeeping, or behaviour in a 12-month period by adhering to Alastair House policies and demonstrating professionalism at all times.
Confidentiality
Due to the nature of the work at Alastair House, the jobholder will have access to confidential and sensitive information about residents, their families, and staff. The job holder must not disclose any personal, medical, financial, or operational information during or after employment, unless explicitly required by the law.
Requirements
In addition to the duties listed below, it is the job holder’s responsibility to carry out individual tasks requested by their direct leader that are relevant to the role or necessary for the safe and effective running of the home.
1. Develop positive and effective working relationships with all colleagues within Alastair House.
2. Support an open, inclusive, and resident-focused kitchen culture.
3. Adhere to all Alastair House policies, procedures, and food safety systems.
About the Company