Assistant Head Chef
- NHS
- Full Time
- Portsmouth
- 28392.00 - 31157.00 a year
Job Description
Job summary
The successful applicant will be responsible for the daily running of the Main Kitchen and will work closely with the Head Chef in providing a high quality food service in B Level Restaurant, Stacked Retail Unit, E Level Cafe and various functions.
37.5 Hours - 5 Days over 7 Days including every other weekend and Bank Holidays
The post will involve the daily supervision of 14 kitchen staff cooking freshly prepared food to staff, patients and visitors while maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
They will also be responsible for the running of the busy food service ensuring food is presented in the best possible way while checking on portion control and adherence temperature regulations
The Assistant Head Chef will be expected to cover the Head Chef in their absence
Ideally the successful applicant will have some supervisory experience and a good knowledge of HACCPs, Food Safety Regulations and have a broad range of cooking skills.
Applicants need to demonstrate a respectful and calmdisposition at all times
IN LINE WITH TRUST GUIDELINES THIS POST REQUIRES CANDIDATES TO PROVDE 3 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT AND/OR PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES
CLOSING DATE - 16 AUGUST 2026
Portsmouth Hospital NHS Trust have adopted a smoke-free policy. You are unable to smoke anywhere on the hospital site.
The Trust is committed to valuing the benefits of diversity in its staff and committed to equal opportunities.
Main duties of the job
- Responsible for the running of the Main Kitchen and will work closely with the Head Chef in providing a high quality food service
- Have a broad range of cooking skills.
- Daily supervision of 14 kitchen staff cooking freshly prepared food to staff, patients and visitors.
- Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
- Food Safety Regulations
- Ensure HACCP guidelines are followed.
- Compliance with allergen regulations and Natasha's Law.
- Responsible for maintaining high standards of cleanliness including personal hygiene.
About us
Equans working in partnership with PHUT. The Trust is committed to driving excellence in care for our patients and communities and was rated good by the Care Quality Commission report published 2020 and became a University Hospital.
We are ranked as the third in the country for research; embedding education and training across the organisation and we continuously strive to achieve our core values which are at the heart of everything we do. The Trusts main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, starting life as a military hospital over a century ago and now one of the largest hospitals on the south coast. The Trust provides comprehensive secondary care and specialist services to a local population of 675,000 people across South East Hampshire.
The Trust employs over 8,000 staff and are #ProudtobePHU; our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because its the right thing to do, but because it makes our hospital stronger.
If you share our values and our enthusiasm for providing outstanding care and support for patients, colleagues and our community you will find a home at PHU.
In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veterans status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs.
Job responsibilities
To support the Head Chef to supervise all aspects of the kitchen service by providing a high quality food service whilst maintaining a clean, tidy and safe department. Ensuring the standard of service to be patient and customers is pleasant, efficient and all duties are carried out in line with the department's working procedures and food safety guidelines.
Responsible for providing a high quality catering service in line with local operational procedures and work schedules
Communicate information relating to food service requirements to staff and other members of the public both verbally and by email and telephone
Supervise all aspects of food production within the kitchen including special diets
Organise own day to day work tasks or activities and show initiative
Responsible for the organisation of the daily ordering of provisions
Supervise the serving of food and the maintaining of good portion control and presentation of the food served
Be responsible for the security of the main kitchen area
Maintaining of departmental records
Deal with patient and customer comments as required
Responsible for temperature recording of refrigerators and freezers
Organise function food
Work together with Department in Performance and Development Reviews and always maintain confidentiality
Demonstrate courteous behaviour
Completion of external and internal provision order sheets.
Completion of own timesheets/holiday sheets/sickness notes
Participating in relevant audits
Please see attached full job description.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Have the ability to work as part of a team or on own initiative.
- Have the ability to follow instructions.
- Possess good communication skills, including non-verbal communication skills.
- Ability to respond constructively to unpredictable situations.
- Be calm, focused and able to cope with work under pressure.
- Able to work under pressure.
- Ability to be flexible and adaptable.
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ1 and NVQ 2 in Cooking for the Catering Industry
- City & Guilds 706/1, 706/2
- Intermediate Food Safety Certificate
- Food Allergy and Intolerance Certificate
- Relevant experience of working in the catering trade within a supervisory role
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Equans Working with Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
Address
Queen Alexandra Hospital
Southwick Hill Road
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO6 3LY
United Kingdom
