Find your place in the field of good food

Our goal is to connect good people with good food. We advertise sustainable food jobs and training opportunities to help jobseekers and employers find each other.

Roots to Work is a project of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.

Job description

Food has a central place in the life and ethos of Othona. We encourage everyone to value and enjoy  preparing food and eating together, not only as a pleasure in itself but also as a powerful symbol of community. We sit down to share a common meal at Othona – not a variety of menu options. But of course there are individuals whose allergies or other special requirements need to be catered for.  

We have a reputation for good, simple, home cooked food and the use of local or home-grown  produce where possible. We have a polytunnel, veg beds, apple orchard, a soft fruit cage plus lots of herbs. We have a core member who leads on gardening and your active interest and a keenness to help would be a bonus.  

The role of caterer at Othona is really vital and can be very fulfilling. You’ll need some competence  both in cooking and in running a kitchen (food hygiene, menu planning, ordering and so on). But just  as important, you need the personal qualities to be well organised without being inflexible, to cope  calmly in changing circumstances, to work cheerfully in a changing team.  

If you are looking to live and work in a community-oriented environment and enjoy cooking, this role  could suit you, whether or not you are formally qualified. (Training to level 3 food hygiene can be arranged). We hope you would enjoy the challenge of  planning menus that balance these criteria with the constraints of a fairly tight budget.  

Bradwell’s spacious kitchen is equipped with modern induction hobs and a very ‘smart’ oven. You would help to maintain a 5 star food hygiene award with the environmental health department.  We also take increasing notice of the environmental impact of our catering and consideration of this influences the menu and food sourcing.  

You will be responsible for a fair amount of cooking and food preparation, but volunteers and other core members share the duties on a regular basis..  

Please note: Othona always serves vegetarian/vegan meals and is gradually cutting down on meat and fish (except Sunday roast!). You will need to handle and cook the full range of foodstuffs, whether they are part of your own diet or not.  

You may not feel that you have everything we are asking for but there will be opportunities to develop your skills and experience with us if we feel you have the potential and are a good fit for the community.

The Caterer has three key areas of responsibility, each of equal importance:  

• for visitors and  core, within a limited budget  To manage the provision of balanced, nourishing, tasty food 
• To manage the kitchen and its systems and maintain high standards of hygiene and safety  
• To build community with core colleagues, taking a full role in sharing core tasks including the opportunity to host and facilitate events and practical aspects of running the centre, and making the most of your own strengths and interests.  

Othona is a spiritual community, but without lots of pious talk or formal religion. We do ask of core  members that you’re committed to spiritual growth in yourself and others, participating in the daily routine of work, worship, study and play, established by our founder, Norman Motley.

Wider Responsibilities  

1. Work as part of a team to build community and support the smooth running of the centre and  its activities including hosting and facilitating events, assisting with housekeeping, gardening and other  practical tasks as appropriate  

2. Plan varied menus within agreed budgets and ethical guidelines, with modest meat consumption (on environmental grounds) and with alternatives available to meet specific dietary needs and wishes.   

3. Ensure good health and safety practice, cleaning and hygiene in the kitchen and related  areas and keep appropriate records (see separate appendix).  

4. Manage stock, ordering and buying according to good practice, health and economy, avoiding  wastage, including using local and home grown produce where possible.  

5. Co-ordinate the cooking and use of the kitchen.  

Skills and Experience specific to the role  

Cooking and Catering: 

• Have a love of cooking and of simple wholesome food  
• Be interested in nutrition and be able to plan the menus balancing cost, environmental and health considerations, and building on some established menu favourites and proven ways of working.  
• Be capable of preparing and cooking for groups of between 10 to 50 and  occasionally up to 80 adults and children  

Managing Health, Hygiene and Safety in Kitchen and associated areas:  

• Understand and implement good health, hygiene and safety practices in the kitchen, in your own  work and that of others, including undertaking appropriate food hygiene training if not already  accredited  
• Be prepared to supplement your qualifications beyond the basics of food hygiene, as agreed with  the centre managers  
• Be able to support others in appropriate cooking and cleaning skills and safe systems of work  

Planning and organising:  

• Identify key tasks, decide priorities and organise your workload  
• Involve and motivate others, including volunteers and those who are less experienced in the life of the kitchen  
• Create and maintain records to provide accurate information easily accessible to yourself,  colleagues and the environmental health department  

Benefits

Living in and contributing to the community is a highly rewarding experience in itself.  You have the opportunity to meet and serve a wide variety of interesting and friendly people from all walks of life. It also means that all your general living costs are covered (food, heat, electricity, council tax etc.). Additional benefits include employer pension contribution and an annual ‘stipend’ currently of £9,536.90. Accommodation is modest, in a shared community chalet with your own bedroom. You  can expect two days off a week (on a variable rota) and 28 days annual leave. 

Resilience:  

Living in a community setting and in an isolated location is both a joy and a challenge. You will need a certain amount of resourcefulness and resilience, patience with other members of the team and visitors, a sense of humour and an ability not to take yourself too seriously. We want you to enjoy your time here. Your own transport would be an advantage to make the most of your spare time but not essential.

Application information

Application is by email to essexwarden@othona.org. Please complete the short application form stating which role(s) you are applying for and send it with your current CV and a covering letter detailing why you have applied for the post and how you meet the selection criteria. References from your most recent employment or equivalent will be taken. You will require an enhanced DBS check with barring (children’s list) before commencing employment. You must have the current right to work and remain in the UK

Please mention Roots to Work when applying for these jobs