Job overview

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Cook to join our Catering Team working in its two locations of West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket Community Hospital.

The Catering Department operates 365 days a year, and this full‑time role (37.5 hours per week) involves rostered 7.5‑hour shifts between 6:30am and 7:00pm, at both locations including alternate weekend work.

Key responsibilities include preparing meals using standardised recipes, serving patient meals, maintaining high hygiene standards, washing up, cleaning equipment, and supporting service in the staff and visitors dining room. Applicants must demonstrate strong customer service and communication skills, work effectively both independently and as part of a team, and remain calm under pressure. Solid knowledge of hygiene principles, literacy and numeracy skills, and appropriate chef qualifications are essential.

Main duties of the job

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• Provide a safe, high‑quality catering service as part of the team.
• Maintain excellent hygiene and food safety standards.
• Prepare and serve nutritious meals following standard recipes and using fresh ingredients.
• Sustain concentration when producing multiple dishes in a busy environment.
• Apply knowledge of HACCP, COSHH, and departmental hygiene procedures.
• Follow IDDSI guidance to ensure patient safety.
• Offer advice to ward staff on allergens, dietary needs, and food textures when dietetic support is unavailable.
• Adhere to Trust policies and report issues to the line manager.
• Support Food Service Supervisors in the absence of senior production staff regarding dietary and IDDSI matters.

Working for our organisation

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly,  NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone's voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?