Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Cook / Head Chef

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Senior Cook/Head Chef
The Westminster Memorial Hospital is seeking a skilled and experienced Senior Cook/Head Chef who is passionate about food and wants to make a difference.
About the Role
The ideal candidate will have a passion for culinary excellence, strong leadership abilities, and a keen eye for detail.
As Senior Cook/Head Chef, you will have full operational and financial responsibility for the hospital's catering facility, leading the team to deliver the highest quality of food and service to 26 in-patients, as well as our staff and members of the public in our friendly hospital café.
Work Schedule
You must be able to work flexibly as part of a rota including working weekends and bank holidays.
Two-Week Working Rota: 27 Hours per Week
-
Week 1
- Sunday: 7am to 3pm
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7am to 2pm
-
Week 2
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7am to 2pm
- Saturday: 7am to 3pm
30 min unpaid break on each shift
Requirements
Responsibilities
- Supervising and supporting a small team of catering staff, ensuring the smooth day-to-day operation
- Recruiting, managing, and training catering team
- Planning of menus, orders, deliveries, and budget control
- Managing food safety, Health & Safety, and Allergens legislation, overseeing food safety practices and compliance, and conducting periodic audits
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Requirement
- Desirable: Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate or willingness to undertake
- Strong knowledge of kitchen operation, food production, and culinary techniques
- Excellent leadership and supervisory skills
- Understanding of HACCP, allergen regulations, and best practice
- Awareness of COSHH regulation
- Basic IT skills/computer competence
Offer
- Permanent contract – no late nights
- Generous holiday allowance increasing with service
- NHS pension
- Uniform provided
- On-site free parking
- Healthcare discount scheme
Note:
Appointment to this post is subject to a standard DBS certificate.
About Dorset HealthCare
At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities, and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.
We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.
Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.
Contact
For further details / informal visits contact:
- Name: Trudie Painter
- Job Title: Facilities Manager
- Email Address: trudie.painter@nhs.net
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills