Assistant Cook - Synchronicity Care Ltd

The closing date is 19 December 2025

Job summary

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, self-motivated and committed individual to influence and contribute as part of the award winning Catering Services team at Darlington Memorial Hospital .

We are looking for enthusiastic, reliable and self-motivated people to become a part of our team for the safe production of over 17,000 meals per week within a Central Production Unit(CPU) .

Successful applicants will be expected to display their ability to operate in a very busy environment whilst displaying Impeccable hygiene standards, knowledge and practices.

The successful applicant will have :

A good knowledge of catering practices and procedures will be required which may have been gained in a similar hospital environment or in the catering private sector.

Sound knowledge of food hygiene regulations.

Good knowledge of ingredient recipes and associated allergens will also be essential.

Demonstrate a can do attitude

Level 2 Certificate in Food Hygiene

Main duties of the job

The Assistant cook role will be expected to deliver high quality and professional catering services to both staff and visitors and external contracts from the Central Production Unit (CPU) at Darlington Memorial Hospital

This role would be expected to follow the duties laid out by the Food Production Manager for the day to day production of cook chill food products and to ensure the accurate preparation, cooking and batching of food products in preparation for blast chilling whilst ensuring that the appropriate record keeping is maintained whilst working in a safe hygienic manner.

A friendly and approachable manner is essential as well as an individual who is willing to have a can do attitude on the delivery of a first class Catering ServiceT

About us

SCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) set up to deliver a range of non-clinical services The company is a separate legal body to CDDFT.

SCL offers its own Terms and Conditions of employment which differ to the national NHS Terms and Conditions. As an employee in the company you will benefit from:

A Competitive salary
Access to a pension scheme – National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) CDD Services will pay a 3% contribution (this is over and above the minimum contribution rate at the present time)
Night Shift Working Allowances (where appropriate)
Bank Holiday Working Allowances (where appropriate)

Bank work is offered on an ‘as and when’ basis with no guaranteed hours and will be paid on a pro-rata hourly rate for hours worked only

Job description

Job responsibilities

When required, to work under the direction of the Food Production Supervisor, in the cooking of nutritious and appetizing meals and snacks for staff and visitors, according to planned menu using specified recipes, methods and systems for cook chill catering to the highest possible standards nutritional, temperature, quality, presentation, hygiene and safety and allergen regulations

To be involved in the preparation of all cook chill/freeze products, adhering strictly to standard recipes, methods and production planning adhered to.

Ensure high standards of food quality from point of purchase to meal preparation, cooking and service, ensuring quality control process throughout.

To be committed for the developing of new menu items for the Catering service

To ensure temperature monitoring and recording of all produced meals/foodstuffs and food storage equipment in accordance with standards as laid down in the Catering Departments Policies and Procedures and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points(HACCP)

Assist with receipt, quality assurance and stock control of goods received into the catering stores. Correct storage and security of goods, adhering to stock rotation practices in accordance with HACCP.

Assist in Hygiene Audits and Cleaning Schedules inspections for your area of work is completed weekly, liaising with the Food Production Manager/Supervisor to ensure that any remedial work is carried out.

To assist in the general cleaning of equipment in accordance with agreed cleaning schedules.

To comply with cleaning schedules as specified

To display a high standard of personal hygiene

Person Specification

Special Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Natural & enthusiastic staff member(E)
Ability to follow clear instructions and feedback to senior staff (E)
Effective interpersonal skills (E)
Able to work with minimal supervision following set procedures. (E)
Flexible approach to work and adaptable to change(E)
Good manual dexterity, physical fitness(E)
Good timekeeping(E)
Basic numeracy(E)
Basic Keyboard skills (E)
Knowledge of food safety and allergen regulations (E)
Effective interpersonal skills (E)

Desirable

Clean Driving licence (D)

Qualifications

Essential

706/1 or equivalent (E)
Food allergen certificate level 2 (E)
A good standard of literacy and numeracy (E0
Basic keyboard skills (E)

Desirable

706/2 or equivalent (D)
Level 3 Certificate in Food Hygiene or working towards it (D)
Customer care experience
COSHH (D)
Health & safety (D)

Special Requirements

Essential

Ability to work shifts and weekends and have flexibility to needs of the service(E)

Desirable

Health and safety(D)

Experience

Essential

Effective interpersonal skills (E)
Experience of working within a kitchen environment(E)
Committed to quality customer care/delivering excellent customer service.(E)

Desirable

Cook Chill Experience(D)

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.