Cook - Marquisway Resource Centre - 34 hours across 5 days.

Where your care in the kitchen helps people thrive.

Who we are & what we stand for

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match.

We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time.

We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive.

At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Join a service that celebrates abilities and independence.

Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council supports adults with care and support needs to live safe, independent and thriving lives. The service provides statutory assessments, safeguarding, prevention, and a wide range of community-based support in line with the Care Act 2014. Working in a strengths-based way, Adult Social Care focuses on wellbeing, independence and personalised outcomes, helping people to access the right support at the right time, whether through assessment and planning, enablement services, technology-enabled care, or wider community resources.

Catering with heart, purpose, and community impact.

Are you passionate about using your skills to make a positive difference every day? We’re looking for a dedicated and organised Cook to help us keep our services running smoothly. You’ll play a key role in creating nutritious, high‑quality meals for adults with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, dementia, and those recently discharged from hospital.

This is an opportunity to use your catering expertise to support people in a meaningful way, ensuring our service users enjoy meals that are safe, personalised, and enjoyable, every single day.

What you'll get to do:

Prepare, cook and serve meals and beverages, ensuring that individual preferences, choices and dietary requirements are supported, maintaining a safe, well-equipped care environment.
Order provisions to ensure that budgets are maintained within set weekly limits.
Undertake stock control and rotation to ensure that food safety standards are maintained and to limit waste.
Carry out and record fridge, freezer and food temperatures to ensure that health and safety standards are maintained.
Clean the main kitchen, and equipment, ensuring regulations relating to food hygiene and health and safety are maintained.
Oversee and advise staff on the cleaning of assessment kitchens, their surrounds and equipment, which have been used and cleaned by service users and/or support staff (where applicable).
Communicate effectively with colleagues and service users (where appropriate) to share knowledge; seek advice and co-ordinate service delivery.

What you'll bring:

An accredited Food Safety qualification.
NVQ Level 3 in Catering (or equivalent) and training in food allergies and intolerances, or a willingness to complete these with us.
An understanding of nutritional needs such as dysphagia and specialist diets, ensuring every meal is safe, enjoyable, and tailored to individual requirements.
Strong cooking and meal preparation skills, with a passion for good food and consistency, with experience preparing meals for large groups.
A great team player who enjoys working with others to deliver a high‑quality service.
Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage with colleagues and service users in a supportive, respectful way.

If successful, this role requires a DBS and you will have to apply for an enhanced Disclosure.

Occasionally you may be required to work from other residence within Gateshead to cover absence.

What’s in it for you

Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary – we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info
Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days.
Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time.
Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options.
Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career.
Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing.
Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme.
Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions – a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service).
Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services – plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

How to apply

You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications.

We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying.

If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via recruitment@gateshead.gov.uk. Alternatively, if you’d like an informal discussion about the role then please contact Colin Bainbridge-Clarke, our Service Manager on ColinBainbridge-Clarke@Gateshead.Gov.UK or 07523 944 063.

Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application.

Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.

Gateshead Council

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