Kitchen Assistant

Kara Healthcare is a quality care provider devoted to delivering first-class dementia, nursing, residential, and respire care to residents living in our homes. We believe our residents deserves choice, dignity, and independence. Follow our CEO Nitesh Somani or Kara Healthcare LinkedIn to find out more about us.

About the Role

We are seeking a caring, reliable, and proactive Kitchen Assistant to join our kitchen team within a care home setting. The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the preparation and service of nutritious, well-balanced, and appetising meals for our residents, helping to promote their health, wellbeing, and quality of life. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude, a genuine interest in food preparation, and an understanding of the importance of providing a high standard of food hygiene and safety. They will work closely with the Head Chef and wider care home team to ensure that residents receive meals that meet their individual dietary requirements, preferences, and nutritional needs. This role offers an opportunity to make a positive difference to residents' daily lives by helping to create an enjoyable and welcoming dining experience.

Responsibilities

• Duties and Responsibilities
• Assist with the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals in accordance with the care home's menus and established standards.
• Support the kitchen team in providing nutritious, balanced, and appetising meals that meet residents' dietary requirements and personal preferences.
• Assist with the preparation of special diets, including modified-texture meals, where required and in accordance with residents' care plans and instructions.
• Help prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at appropriate times to ensure residents receive their meals promptly.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the kitchen, including cleaning work surfaces, equipment, utensils, and storage areas.
• Follow food safety, health and safety, and infection prevention and control procedures at all times.
• Ensure food is stored, labelled, handled, and prepared safely in line with food hygiene regulations and the care home's policies.
• Assist with serving meals in the dining room or other designated areas, ensuring residents are treated with dignity, kindness, and respect.
• Work alongside care staff to support residents' mealtime needs and communicate any concerns regarding dietary requirements, food intake, or meal preferences to the appropriate team member.
• Assist with receiving deliveries, checking stock, rotating supplies, and reporting low stock levels or any damaged or expired food items.
• Minimise food waste by following appropriate portion control, storage, and food preparation procedures.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to maintain an organised, safe, and efficient kitchen environment.
• Complete cleaning schedules and relevant food safety records as required.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties associated with the role to support the smooth running of the care home's catering service.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Experience and Skills
• Previous experience in a kitchen, catering, restaurant, or care home environment is desirable but not essential, as training may be provided.
• An understanding of basic food preparation, kitchen operations, and safe food handling practices.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety requirements, or a willingness to undertake relevant training.
• A caring, patient, and respectful approach when working in a care home environment.
• An understanding of the importance of providing meals that meet residents' nutritional needs, dietary requirements, and personal preferences.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to follow instructions and maintain high standards of cleanliness.
• Reliability, punctuality, and a flexible approach to supporting the needs of the kitchen and care home.
• The ability to work efficiently while maintaining attention to detail and food safety standards.
• A willingness to undertake relevant training and follow the care home's policies and procedures.