Assistant Cook

Job summary

** 20 Hours per week over 2 days - including alternate weekends ** 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

Main duties of the job

The role at Akari Care is for an Assistant Cook who will work 20 hours per week over 2 days, including alternate weekends. The position requires a person who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of older people by ensuring mealtimes are a significant and enjoyable part of their day. The successful candidate will take pride in preparing meals that are nutritious and of high quality, while being attentive to the dietary needs, religious, and cultural backgrounds of residents. This role offers the opportunity to create engaging menus and to coach a team in developing their skills and ideas to provide personalized service to residents. The position calls for an individual who is warm, caring, and able to lead by example within a care team dedicated to a spirit of community and compassion towards elderly care.

About us

Akari Care is dedicated to providing care for the elderly in a setting where residents feel valued and respected. Their mission is to offer personalized care that respects the dignity of each individual. Akari Care operates award-winning homes and is committed to creating an environment that supports the well-being of its residents. This involves not only physical health through attentive meal preparation but also nurturing mental and emotional health through community spirit, respectful interactions, and tailored services that consider individual cultural and dietary needs. Akari Care seeks staff who share these values and who are motivated to contribute positively to the lives of older people by offering excellent, compassionate care.

Details

• Date posted: 19 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £13.59 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: 1565408740
• Job locations: Akari Care, Gateshead, NE11 9AE, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

** 20 Hours per week over 2 days - including alternate weekends **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 Cookexperience 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.