Chef / Cook

Chef / Cook

About Us

At Eldon Housing Association, people are at the heart of what we do. We are an established provider of Housing and Facilities Management Services. We have a strong reputation for delivering safe, comfortable and supportive homes and services.

Eldon Housing Association’s catering teams are responsible for delivering prepared meals in line with hygiene and health and safety standards.

We are seeking dedicated professionals to join our team of catering bank staff. If you have the experience, we want to hear from you!

We are a values-led organisation, promoting kindness and teamwork in the way we work together. For us, this means treating colleagues with care and respect, helping one another and recognising that everyone has a part to play in delivering a caring service.

Come and join us and be part of our team.

Starting Pay Rates: £14.29 – £18.56 (pay award pending for April 2027) role dependant.

We are recruiting across our Croydon schemes for Chef, Cook and Kitchen Assistant roles.

Overall purpose of a Chef role:

• To provide a high-quality catering service that will enhance the everyday life of the tenants.
• To ensure the catering service is carried out in accordance with the output specification, appropriate legislation, guidance, procedures and good practice.
• To be responsible for the organisation and supervision of a high-quality food service to meet the requirements for the tenants.
• To be responsible for ensuring high levels of cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen and storerooms at all times
• To be responsible for ensuring that all food not only looks and taste delicious but also reflects the needs of individual’s medical and cultural requirements.
• To manage front of house service of food including the presentation of food and maintain a menu displaying choice.
• To manage the catering team and catering budget.

Overall purpose of a Cook role:

• Prepare and cook a variety of dishes according to established recipes and standards.
• Maintain high standards of food safety and hygiene in the kitchen at all times.
• Oversee kitchen operations, including inventory management and ordering supplies as needed.
• Collaborate with kitchen staff to ensure efficient meal preparation and service.
• Train and mentor junior kitchen staff in food preparation techniques and safety practices.
• Monitor food quality during preparation and presentation, ensuring consistency across all dishes.

Person specification:

• Catering experience in a commercial kitchen.
• Ability to follow instruction and work as a team.
• Kind and helpful, can-do attitude.
• Supportive of Eldon’s vision and values.

Desirable qualifications (training will be provided if required):

• Health and Safety / COSHH training certificate
• CIEH Level 2 (minimum) Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate
• First Aid at Work Training

Our benefits include:

• Healthcare Cash Back Plan – after qualifying period.
• Employee Advice Line, offering a 24-hour confidential advice service – after qualifying period.
• Employee Recognition Schemes, including Employee Excellence Award.
• A comprehensive induction and training programme with on-going development.

In the first instance, please submit an up-to-date CV. Upon receipt of a CV, long-listed candidates will then be invited to complete an application form, detailing full employment history and suitability for the role.

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required, as well as full employment history and references will be taken up.

We will process your data for recruitment purposes only.

We are committed to Equality and Diversity.

Our Values: Passionate – Professional – Caring – Innovative