Assistant Head Cook

Job Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full time Assistant Head Cook to work as part of the catering team based at the Freeman Hospital, but also with the opportunity of working cross sites, in our different bases.

Interview Date: 24 September 2026

37 Hours 30 Minutes/Week

Enhanced rate of pay for working weekends and bank holidays.

Main duties of the job

• Work on a three-week rota cycle working two weekends out of every three on early and late shifts (early shifts from 6am to 2pm, late shifts from 12.00pm to 20.00pm)
• Preparation and cooking of hot & cold foods
• Hygiene within the kitchen to include Temperature Controls of all products
• Responsible for the staff on duty within the kitchen to ensure all meals are completed for the patient meal service to the standards required providing approximately 700 meals per service

Working for our organisation

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from: Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI), Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Dental Hospital, Cramlington Manor Walks, Urgent treatment centres, Newcastle Fertility Centre, Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria, Northern Genetics Service. These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS. We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A working supervisory role with responsibilities for a food production/service shift with the emphasis on food hygiene and safety standards, quality control and supervisory management.

Qualifications

Essential:

• City & Guilds 706/2 or NVQ 3 (food preparation) or Significant Experience
• Basic Food Hygiene

Desirable:

• Intermediate Food Hygiene Qualification
• Previous experience in large scale catering
• Knowledge of (HACCP) Principles
• Level 3 Supervisory Leadership or equivalent

Knowledge and experience

Essential:

• Demonstrate an understanding of managing Health & Safety and food hygiene principles
• Working in a customer focused environment
• Customer care

Skills

Essential:

• Basic Information Technology skills to include Word and Excel
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Ability to record information accurately

Additional information

Knowledge and Experience with a broad range of cooking methods would be an advantage. You must also provide proof of qualification or experience at the Interview.

Previous Applicants Need Not Apply.

You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy. NO AGENCIES PLEASE

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. Therefore, when completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Please note it is a requirement of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who require a DBS for the post they have been offered pay for their DBS certificate. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first month's pay.

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will be contacted by e-mail. You should check your SPAM folders as well as your inbox. If you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date you should assume your application has been unsuccessful.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Further details / informal visits contact: Colin Chapman, Trust Catering Manager, Email: colinchapman1@nhs.net, Telephone: 0191 2448681