NHS
Cook
This job is now closed
Job Description
- Req#: C9179-26-0160?language=en&page=793&sort=publicationDateDesc
- Provide a safe, high-quality catering service as part of the team.
- Maintain excellent hygiene and food safety standards.
- Prepare and serve nutritious meals following standard recipes and using fresh ingredients.
- Sustain concentration when producing multiple dishes in a busy environment.
- Apply knowledge of HACCP, COSHH, and departmental hygiene procedures.
- Follow IDDSI guidance to ensure patient safety.
- Offer advice to ward staff on allergens, dietary needs, and food textures when dietetic support is unavailable.
- Adhere to Trust policies and report issues to the line manager.
- Support Food Service Supervisors in the absence of senior production staff regarding dietary and IDDSI matters.
- NVQ Level 2 Food hygiene certificate
- City and Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or NVQ level 3
- Allergen training
- Knowledge of IDDSI
- A good general education
- Basic skills in literacy & numeracy
- Dietary/nutrition training
- Good understanding of HACCP, COSSH and Health and Safety legislation.
- Previous experience of working within a catering environment.
- Previous catering experience specifically in large scale service
- Good customer care and communication skills
- Able to work either alone or as part of a team
- Good attention to detail
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Able to work without supervision.
- Able to work in a demanding environment.
- Self-motivated & evidence of good timekeeping
- Adaptable to change
- Able to work in a Hospital ward environment
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties
- Self-motivated
- Interest in cooking/catering
- NVQ Level 2 Food hygiene certificate
- City and Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or NVQ level 3
- Allergen training
- Knowledge of IDDSI
- A good general education
- Basic skills in literacy & numeracy
- Dietary/nutrition training
- Good understanding of HACCP, COSSH and Health and Safety legislation.
- Previous experience of working within a catering environment.
- Previous catering experience specifically in large scale service
- Good customer care and communication skills
- Able to work either alone or as part of a team
- Good attention to detail
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Able to work without supervision.
- Able to work in a demanding environment.
- Self-motivated & evidence of good timekeeping
- Adaptable to change
- Able to work in a Hospital ward environment
- Flexible approach to working hours and duties
- Self-motivated
- Interest in cooking/catering
Job summary
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Cook to join our Catering Team working in its two locations of West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket Community Hospital.
The Catering Department operates 365 days a year, and this full-time role (37.5 hours per week) involves rostered 7.5-hour shifts between 6:30am and 7:00pm, at both locations including alternate weekend work.
Key responsibilities include preparing meals using standardised recipes, serving patient meals, maintaining high hygiene standards, washing up, cleaning equipment, and supporting service in the staff and visitors dining room. Applicants must demonstrate strong customer service and communication skills, work effectively both independently and as part of a team, and remain calm under pressure. Solid knowledge of hygiene principles, literacy and numeracy skills, and appropriate chef qualifications are essential.
Main duties of the job
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About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone's voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Details
Date posted
10 March 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
179-7809277-F
Job locations
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Job descriptionJob description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification attached for more details on the job role.
Person SpecificationPerson Specification
Education
Essential
Desirable
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Skills & Abilities
Essential
Personalities
Essential
Desirable
Education
Essential
Desirable
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
Desirable
Skills & Abilities
Essential
Personalities
Essential
Desirable
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.
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
About the company
National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.
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