Cook

Salary: £13.50 per hour (£26,000 per year)

Hours: 37 per week (Mon-Fri, between 8am-3.30pm)

Location: Lisburn

Pension: 7% employer contribution

Holidays: 25 days + 11 stats

Benefits: Private healthcare, wellbeing platforms, holiday buy-back, 25% staff discount, volunteer days, EAP, mental health hours, birthday leave, Christmas shopping half-day, death-in-service benefit.

About the Role

Reed Recruitment are looking for a skilled and passionate Cook to join a busy, community-focused café. You'll create high-quality meals and baked goods, support smooth kitchen operations, and contribute to an inclusive, welcoming environment. A key part of the role involves mentoring team members with learning disabilities, helping them grow confidence and independence in a catering setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Kitchen & Food Preparation
• Prepare, cook, and present food to consistent, high standards.
• Contribute to menu planning, daily specials, and seasonal dishes.
• Manage portion control, stock rotation, and minimise food waste.
• Maintain accurate kitchen records (temperature logs, allergen info).
• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and environmental health regulations.
• Handle deliveries and store ingredients correctly.
• Customer & Café Support
• Work closely with front-of-house to deliver an excellent customer experience.
• Support menu development and café promotions.
• Promote a friendly, inclusive, community-focused atmosphere.
• Mentoring & Inclusion
• Support and guide assistants and trainees with learning disabilities.
• Demonstrate kitchen tasks clearly and safely.
• Encourage independence, confidence, and skill development.
• Foster a positive, respectful team culture.

Health & Safety

• Follow all relevant health and safety legislation and best practice.
• Report equipment defects promptly.
• Record accidents and incidents appropriately.
• Complete all required H&S and environmental training.

General Duties

• Always maintain strong customer focus.
• Follow organisational policies, mandatory training, and data protection requirements.
• Participate in ongoing quality improvement initiatives.
• Identify and manage risks, including completion of risk assessments.
• Keep clear, accurate, confidential records.

Person Specification

Essential

• NVQ Level 2 in Catering & Hospitality (or equivalent).
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Strong understanding of COSHH, HACCP, and general H&S procedures.
• Good IT skills.
• Understanding of challenges faced by individuals with learning disabilities.
• Positive attitude, team player, and able to use own initiative.

Desirable

• Intermediate Food Hygiene (or willingness to achieve).
• Experience supporting adults with learning disabilities.

If this sounds like the role for you, please submit an up-to-date CV via the apply link. Alternatively, you can call the branch and speak directly with Donna for more information.