Location: Central Woolston, Southampton
Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Pay: Competitive Salary + Weekend Enhancements

About the Home

This is a beautifully redesigned and fully modernised, family-owned residential care home established in 2005, with new management in place since 2012.

Following a full year of refurbishment and redesign, the home now offers a high-quality, 20-bed residential setting (17 en-suite rooms). Each bedroom has been individually designed to create a comfortable, stylish and homely environment that supports independence, dignity and wellbeing.

The home features spacious communal lounges opening onto a landscaped garden, along with a newly fitted kitchen and dining area and a dedicated beauty salon / wellbeing room. The environment has been carefully designed to promote comfort, relaxation and a strong sense of home.

A strong person-centred care approach is in place, with residents treated as individuals and supported to live as full and meaningful a life as possible. The home places great importance on dignity, independence, choice, and family involvement, working closely with residents and their representatives in all aspects of care planning.

Meals are a key part of daily life within the home, with a focus on nutritious, well-balanced food prepared to high standards and tailored to individual dietary needs and preferences. Visitors and family are warmly welcomed and often encouraged to join residents at mealtimes where appropriate.

Facilities and Environment

• Small 17-resident elderly residential care home (20-bed registered)
  • Fully refurbished, modern and stylish environment
  • Family-owned and independently operated
  • Spacious communal lounges and landscaped garden
  • Newly fitted kitchen and dining facilities
  • Beauty salon / wellbeing room
  • Strong focus on dignity, independence and wellbeing
  • Open and inclusive visiting culture

The Role

As the Cook, you will play a vital role in delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that meet the dietary, cultural, and personal preferences of residents within the home.

You will be responsible for:

• Planning, preparing, and cooking balanced daily meals for residents
  • Ensuring all dietary requirements, allergies, and preferences are met
  • Producing varied menus in line with seasonal availability and resident choice
  • Maintaining high standards of food hygiene and kitchen cleanliness
  • Managing kitchen stock, ordering, and storage control
  • Working in line with food safety regulations (HACCP standards)
  • Supporting special dietary needs in consultation with care staff
  • Ensuring mealtimes are well presented, timely, and resident-focused
  • Working collaboratively with the care team to enhance mealtime experience

Shift Patterns

• Day Shifts: 8:00am – 4:00pm / 8:00am – 6:00pm (as required)
  • Weekend cover required on rota basis
  • No night shifts

About You

• Previous experience as a Cook or Chef, ideally within a care home or similar setting
  • Good understanding of dietary needs for older adults
  • Knowledge of food hygiene standards (Level 2 Food Hygiene minimum preferred)
  • Able to plan and prepare varied, nutritious menus
  • Reliable, organised and able to work independently
  • Team-focused with good communication skills
  • Passionate about quality food and resident wellbeing

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will take pride in producing home-cooked, nutritious meals that enhance residents’ daily lives. You will understand the importance of mealtimes in a residential care setting and be committed to delivering food that is both enjoyable and tailored to individual needs.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive salary package
  • Weekend pay enhancements
  • Supportive, family-run working environment
  • Recently modernised kitchen facilities
  • Stable long-term opportunity
  • Friendly and welcoming team culture
  • Opportunity to make a real difference to residents’ wellbeing

To Apply

Please contact Lauren on 01789 867181 or email Lauren@avonsearch.co.uk