Assistant Cook

Job description

The vacancy

Hours: 20 hours per week

Shift Pattern: between 8 am to 3pm. Monday to Sunday including Bank Holidays

We are currently looking to recruit an Assistant Cook to join our team.

Within the role of Assistant Cook you will assist the cook to plan, prepare and cook meals and light refreshments, ensuring that a varied and balanced diet is provided for all service users and that provision is made for individuals medical, cultural or dietary requirements and personal preferences.

You will assist the cook to ensure that the service is provided in a hygienic, efficient and economical manner as well as deputise for the cook in their absence where appropriate.

Curious to know more? If you're looking for an opportunity where you can make a real difference, with an organisation with a strong social purpose, take a look at the job profile attached.

We'd love to meet you!

What we're looking for

The essential requirements for the role include:

• Experience of working in a kitchen
• Basic food hygiene
• Willingness to participate in training
• Understanding of different cleaning materials and their suitability to identified tasks
• An understanding of varied differing diets, such as multi-cultural, diabetic, vegetarian and low fat

The benefits

At Housing 21 we're proud to be bucking the trend as a care provider by actively recognising the importance of our customer-facing employees and rewarding them accordingly. You will receive:
• Holiday Pay
• Occupational Sick Pay
• Occupational Maternity Pay
• Health Cash Plan
• Blue Light Card (offering discounts across retail, hospitality and leisure)
• Car Lease Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Uniform provided
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Training and development to fulfil your career aspirations

An offer of employment will be subject to the satisfactory completion of an enhanced disclosure check, satisfactory references, and induction training.

Closing date for applications 25 October 2026

Due to the nature of this role this advert may close earlier than the closing date listed and once sufficient applications have been received. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

About us

We know that great people make a great organisation, which is why we put people at the heart of everything we do. You are as valuable to us as our corporate employees, which is why we offer occupational sick pay, occupational maternity and paternity pay and benefits such as the Blue Light Card to all our Extra Care employees.

At Housing 21 we pride ourselves on being passionate about people and are committed to investing in those who work for us to help them to be the best they can be.

When you work for us, you will be joining an organisation that holds the Investors in People Platinum standard and was rated the UK's third Best Place to Work in 2024 by Glassdoor. Our people are our foundation, and we know how important it is to support them to do what they do best, whether through flexible working, learning new skills or being part of a friendly and supportive workplace culture. You shouldn't have to choose between a career and care, and we want to support you to advance your career with us, which is why we have a dedicated learning pathway through our Extra Care Academy that could lead to future roles with salaries of £50,000! A career in care means you can make a difference and help our residents to live independently in their own homes.

We are incredibly proud of the culture we have created and celebrate the positive difference we make to society. If you think you're ready for a new challenge and able to make a difference, then come and join us!

Benefits

Blue Light
Card
Discounted retail, leisure and hospitality

Holiday trade
scheme

Funded health
cash plan

Occupational maternity pay / paternity pay

Pension
contributions

Occupational sick pay

Lifestyle discounts

Car salary sacrifice and leasing scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Check out a full list of our employee benefits here. Benefit entitlements are confirmed with your offer of employment.