Cook

Overview

Cook – Shearwater

Work type: Full Time
• Permanent

Location: Portsmouth

Posted: 3 days ago

Closes: 16 February 2026

Salary: Band 5, £26,473 – £28,239 per annum, plus 7.5% shift allowance if applicable

Hours: 37 hours per week – rota basis covering Monday to Sunday as per needs of the service. To be discussed at interview.

We are looking for a Cook. This is a full time role based at Shearwater in Southsea.

As Cook you will be preparing food on a daily basis, with the help of kitchen assistants, producing nutritionally based meals, including dietary requirements, for up to 40 people. You will plan and produce a varied and exciting menu while managing a set budget. You will be responsible for overall Health and Safety in the kitchen including induction of any new staff.

You will support the activity team to cater for special activities/events within Shearwater. Following the stock ordering process, you will liaise with various suppliers and check the delivery of supplies while arranging appropriate storage. You will work with the wider Shearwater team to ensure all kitchen records are kept up to date, policies and procedures are followed, while overseeing the kitchen cleaning schedule and ensuring all kitchen staff follow national guidance provided including COSHH.

With proven cookery skills, you will need an advanced qualification in catering, for example City and Guilds 701/702 and a basic food hygiene certificate (or be working towards a suitable qualification). You will have experience of ordering stock and the ability to keep within a set budget whilst still providing quality and varied food with minimal waste. You will be required to have a good knowledge of food and nutrition requirements, including a good range of special dietary requirements, and a knowledge and understanding of food safety including IDDSI and food intolerances or allergies.

(IDDSI training will be provided). With good interpersonal and communication skills you will be flexible to adapt to changing workloads and requirements of the unit with the ability to organise and lead kitchen staff.

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