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.