Cafe Cook - Skills Development

Our vision is to create a future where learning disabled people can live the best life possible. We will do this by coming together to campaign for positive change, provide personalised support and create solutions for living independently.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Catering Manager, the role of Cafe Cook is to plan and prepare a menu of nutritious and high-quality meals, snacks and drinks for customers whilst providing a training and skills development opportunity for Learning Disabled and Autistic adults and young people.

You'll prepare nutritious, high-quality meals and café food, plan menus and manage food ordering, but this isn't simply a kitchen role. You'll work alongside the people we support, helping them learn practical cooking, catering and workplace skills and achieve their individual goals.

If you're an experienced cook who enjoys working with people, takes pride in the food you prepare and wants their work to have a positive impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsible for

Key Accountabilities

What you'll do

• Prepare nutritious meals, snacks and drinks for the café.
• Baking and creating cakes or other treats for the cafe setting.
• Plan seasonal menus and order ingredients within budget.
• Support people to take part in cooking and café activities.
• Adapt meals for allergies and specialist dietary requirements.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene and kitchen standards.
• Manage stock, records and daily till reconciliation.
• Work with colleagues to support people's individual goals.

What we're looking for

• Experience working as a cook in a café, care, education, community or similar setting.
• A food hygiene qualification, or willingness to obtain one.
• Good knowledge of food safety and allergens.
• Ability to cater for different dietary requirements.
• Good organisation and communication skills.
• A patient, encouraging approach to supporting people.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

This role would suit you if

You're a confident and enthusiastic home cook who enjoys working with people as much as you enjoy preparing great food.

You might already have experience working as a Cook, Café Cook, Kitchen Assistant, Catering Assistant, Chef or in a similar food-focused role. You may have worked in a café, care setting, school, community setting, hospitality or another environment where good food and good customer service matter.

Professional & Technical Expertise

• Basic food hygiene qualification and equivalent vocational qualification