Chef

Job overview

We’re looking for a skilled and motivated Chef to join our Catering Team at the RUH. You’ll play a key role in preparing, cooking and serving high‑quality meals for our patients, staff and visitors — including meeting a wide range of dietary needs — while following all departmental policies and food‑safety standards.

We’re looking for a motivated and talented Chef to help us deliver fresh, nutritious and beautifully presented meals for our patients, staff and visitors. If you take pride in your craft and want to make a real difference every day, this could be the perfect role for you.

You’ll work across both our main patient kitchen and retail kitchen, depending on service requirements, helping us deliver fresh, nutritious and well‑presented food every day.

Main duties of the job

What the role involves:

• Working 7.5‑hour shifts between 06:00 and 19:00, five days over seven, including 2 out of 3 weekends and public/school/Bank holidays.
• Putting patients first by ensuring meals are prepared and served accurately, safely and on time.
• Supporting senior kitchen staff and colleagues to meet deadlines and follow safe working procedures.
• Following all Trust policies, food‑safety standards and relevant legislation.
• Listening to instructions, working collaboratively and showing respect to colleagues, patients and visitors.
• Maintaining professionalism, promoting inclusion and contributing to a positive team culture.
• Minimising food and non‑food waste in line with departmental guidance.
• Applying knowledge from mandatory and departmental training and following all Standard Operating Procedures for your safety and the safety of others.
• Carrying out all reasonable tasks with accuracy, efficiency and pride.

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring your skills to a team that values quality, teamwork and outstanding service. If you're passionate about great food and great care, we’d love to welcome you.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Prepare, cook and portion hot and cold meals for patients, staff and visitors, ensuring high standards, accurate portion control and correct storage of all food items.
• Follow all Food Hygiene policies, Standard Operating Procedures and legislative requirements, maintaining excellent personal hygiene and a clean, safe working environment.
• Complete all required food‑safety documentation, including temperature monitoring, recording deviations and reporting concerns to senior kitchen staff.
• Safely use, clean and reassemble catering equipment, carrying out routine cleaning tasks (including floors, walls, drainage and surfaces) and adopting a “clean as you go” approach.
• Respond to kitchen enquiries, support additional meal requests, handle initial service complaints appropriately and communicate politely with staff, patients and visitors.
• Work as a positive team member, minimise waste, attend training, follow health & safety procedures and undertake reasonable tasks requested by supervisors or managers.