Apprentice Production Chef

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Blandford Forum, Bridport, Poole

Closes in 20 days (Monday 19 October 2026)

Posted on 28 September 2026

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Summary

We are looking for a motivated person to join our Catering Team and develop a rewarding career within NHS setting. You will support the smooth day-to-day running of busy healthcare kitchens, preparing high-quality meals for patients, staff, and visitors in line with NHS National Standards for Healthcare Food and Drink.

Wage: £15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age

Training course: Production chef (level 2)

Hours: 37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date: Friday 1 January 2027

Duration: 1 year

Positions available: 4

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Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Food preparation and cooking, including specialist dietary requirements
• Maintaining food safety and hygiene standards
• Stock control and reducing food waste
• Supporting menu planning and service improvement
• Working collaboratively within a fast-paced healthcare environment
• Supervising and supporting junior team members where appropriate

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Bridport Community Hospital, Blandford Forum, DT11 7DD
• Bridport Community Hospital, Bridport, DT6 5DR
• 69 Haven Road, Poole, BH13 7LN
• St Ann's Hospital, Poole, BH13 7LN
• Alderney Hospital, Poole, BH12 4NB

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Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider: COASTLAND COLLEGE

Training course: Production chef (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Prepare and cook pre-portioned fresh and frozen meat, fish, and poultry to business standards.
• Prepare and cook fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables to business standards.
• Prepare salad vegetables to business standards.
• Cook poached, simmered, steamed, boiled, braised, stewed, baked, grilled, and fried dishes.
• Regenerate dried and frozen ingredients and dishes.
• Undertake stock control, storage, and rotation.
• Communicate professionally with colleagues, line managers, stakeholders, and customers.
• Work as part of a team to support service delivery.
• Follow specifications to produce, portion, and present food.
• Manage own time to ensure allocated tasks are completed.
• Use techniques for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing to support self and others, including asking for and giving help with daily tasks.
• Use feedback to improve own performance.
• Prepare and close down an area for service.
• Use problem-solving techniques to resolve routine and non-routine issues within the scope of own role.
• Maintain prep and par levels according to business need.
• Clean and maintain manual and electrical food-preparation and cooking tools, equipment, and technology.
• Follow standard operating procedures to select and safely use appropriate knives and boards for the task.
• Monitor and record food temperatures and manage allergens during preparation, cooking, holding, and serving.
• Apply hygiene management techniques to maintain a safe, clean work environment.
• Reduce the waste of resources, acting to measure and reduce plate waste, exercise portion control, and maximize yield.
• Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines, and procedures.
• Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion legislation and organizational policies.
• Deliver to key performance indicators to support the production, performance, and budget within own area of responsibility.
• Use manual and electrical food-preparation and cooking tools, equipment, machinery, and technology.