Manchester City Council
Cook
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Working Hours: 25 Hours Per Week (Monday-Friday, 9am-2:15pm including a 15minute unpaid break. )
Contract Type: Part-Time, Permanent
Closing Date: 22 August 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
Legal Right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action
This role is subject to -
- 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice). We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
- Proof of Manchester Residency - Roles at Grade 1 to 3, traineeships, or apprenticeships will initially only be advertised to Manchester residents and internal candidates. An applicant is classed as a resident of Manchester if they live within the boundaries of the City of Manchester; i.e. Any Council Tax liability for their home would be with Manchester City Council. To check if you fall under the Manchester City Council boundary please visit - https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Residents at Etrop Grange are accommodated as they are either rough sleeping, or in need of emergency accommodation. They have a self-contained room at the project and no access to cooking facilities, other than a kettle in their room and communal microwave. Residents are therefore provided with breakfast and one hot meal each day. The breakfast is served by onsite support staff 8:30am-9:00am, it is up to the cook to wash any pots after the service and put breakfast items away. The successful candidate will then need to prepare a hot meal that is served by the cook 12:30pm-1:00pm. The leftover meals are served to residents at the second service 4:30pm-5:00pm, but this is done by the onsite support staff as the cook finishes shift at 2:15pm. You will be required to prepare 70 portions a day, 10 of which will be vegetarian.
The role holder will also be responsible for the day to day cleaning of the kitchen and ensuring it meets health and safety requirements. In addition, it is the responsibility of the cook to order the food stock for the kitchen, put this away and complete a menu for each week. Some weeks, we may receive food donations, it is up to the cook to safely store such items and organise the kitchen appropriately.
In addition, as the role is Monday to Friday, the cook will be required to prepare meals for Saturday and Sunday lunch service and handover instructions to the support staff for the food service on these days.
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You will be required to have an understanding of health and safety procedures in a catering environment. You will complete a Level 2 Food and Hygiene Qualification once you have started in post.
The candidate must be a dynamic individual who can adapt to changing situations as and when they happen. Whilst you will not be directly supporting residents, our clientele have complex needs, and so the successful candidate must be compassionate and be adaptable.
In your personal statement, can you please provide an example of when you have catered for a large number of people.
If you would like any further information please contact Qasim Abbasi by email Qasim.Abbasi@manchester.gov.uk
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits We Offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
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Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Requirements
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
- Current or former care leavers
- Have a disability or long-term condition
- If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.
What we will need from you if you’re successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Pre-Employment Checks
Required
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:
- Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
- References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
- Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
- Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may
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