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

Job Background 

The Nourish Hub is a vibrant community food hub that uses food as a catalyst for education, engagement, and social impact. Our mission is to tackle food waste and food insecurity while creating a welcoming, inclusive space for local residents. 

The Meals on Wheels service plays a vital role in this mission - ensuring that vulnerable and housebound residents have consistent access to hot, nutritious meals prepared with care and delivered with dignity. 

Position Overview 

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Meals on Wheels Chef to join our kitchen team. This hands-on role focuses on the planning, preparation, and safe packing of daily meals for delivery, maintaining exceptional standards of food quality, hygiene, and consistency. 

The successful candidate will have strong experience in high-volume catering environments and a genuine passion for improving community health and wellbeing through food. 

Main Objectives 

As the Meals on Wheels Chef, you will: 

• Deliver high-quality, nutritionally balanced meals for vulnerable residents. 
• Maintain full compliance with all food safety, hygiene, and temperature regulations. 
• Manage production schedules, dietary requirements, and daily dispatch deadlines. 
• Support volunteers and kitchen team members in a collaborative, positive environment. 
• Contribute to the wider work of the Nourish Hub by providing flexibility and cover within the kitchen when required. 

Key Tasks and Responsibilities 

Meal Planning and Production 

• Independently plan, prepare, and cook daily Meals on Wheels menus (main course and dessert, meat and meat free options). 
• Ensure all meals meet dietary, allergy, and cultural needs (e.g. vegetarian, low-salt, soft diets). 
• Maintain excellent presentation, temperature, and portion control. 

Kitchen Management and Logistics 

• Oversee the safe and timely packaging of meals, ensuring correct labelling and temperature retention. 
• Maintain hygiene and food safety standards in line with HACCP and UK regulations. 
• Manage stock rotation, monitor ingredient usage, and support with ordering. 
• Conduct daily temperature checks and keep accurate kitchen records. 
• Operate and maintain kitchen equipment safely, including industrial ovens and blast chillers. 

Teamwork and Support 

• Provide support across the kitchen and community cafe services when required. 
• Offer guidance and supervision to volunteers assisting in meal preparation and packing. 
• Collaborate with the Head Chef and wider Hub team to ensure smooth operations and consistent quality. 
• Step in to provide cover for the Head Chef during leave or absence when required. 

Working Hours 

• Core hours: 9:00  - 17:00 (with a set break), typically Tuesday  - Friday. 
• Flexibility: Occasional variation may be required to support Hub events or provide cover. 

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Proven experience as a Chef in a catering or high-volume kitchen (e.g. care home, hospital, contract catering). 
• Strong understanding of nutrition and dietary requirements, particularly for older or vulnerable adults. 
• Demonstrated ability to maintain consistency, efficiency, and quality under time constraints. 
• Current Level 2 or higher Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate. 
• Excellent organisation and time management skills. 
• Positive team player with a flexible, proactive attitude. 
• Passion for community-focused work and the values of the Nourish Hub. 

Desirable 

• Knowledge of food sustainability, waste reduction, and community food programmes. 
• Experience working with volunteers or in a social enterprise setting. 
• Basic knowledge of HACCP record keeping and compliance systems. 

Application information

Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining your suitability for the role to: info@nourishhub.org.uk 

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