Working as a Rehab Centre Chef for The Chef Tree
Working in a rehab centre can be a very rewarding career. Knowing that you’re making a difference for someone, especially for people who may feel like they’ve never really had someone looking out for them, can feel truly enriching and fulfilling. Patients can include those with mental health conditions, former drug users and those with alcohol dependencies and other addictions; aiding them with their treatment.
It can also be a very stressful job – it can be discouraging, it can be frustrating, and it can be really sad and emotional.
You’ll run the gamut of human emotions when you’re working at a rehab centre, but it can be a lot more interesting than many other jobs, and the dynamic work environment can help the time pass much more quickly. You’ll often find you are also cooking meals for the families and visitors of the residents, as well as the patients themselves.
Great food may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about rehabilitation, but the food you eat during rehab is an important component of recovery. Eating a chef-prepared meal made with fresh, nutritious ingredients isn’t just “pampering”, as quality food helps restore your body and brain as you work through treatment and break your dependencies.
The routine of having “proper foods” (including snacks and desserts) is also a discipline that helps residents break their addiction and gives them the physical strength and nutrition to deal with their treatment and further their recovery.
Chef Jobs
What skills do you need to work in a rehabilitation centre?
Working as a Chef at a rehab facility your duties will likely include the following:
Cooking meals as per the dietary requirements of patients and their recovery plans.
Rehab service users are very diverse, therefore cooking being able to cook a variety of different culinary dishes is likely.
Ensuring that the preparation of food is in a safe, hygienic way.
To prepare and present great food to a high standard and quality.
Ensure that meal preparation areas comply with all regulatory requirements.
Ensure that the food handling, cleanliness, health, safety, and risk assessments and that all procedures required within the home, including the kitchen, operate to the highest standard.
To ensure that proper quality control systems are adopted for all aspects of meal preparation management.
Being responsible to the catering manager or head chef.
Although every treatment centre is different it is likely that some of the ingredients your chef-prepared meal may feature include:
Fatty fish: omega-3 fatty acids assist with rebuilding brain cells
Dark chocolate: provides essential antioxidants
Dark, leafy greens: high in vitamin B and helpful for neuronal repair
Nuts and seeds: help to decrease inflammation in joints and muscles
Berries: high in vitamins and may be useful for improving cognitive function
Red meat: a good source of zinc to help repair the immune system
What previous experience do I need to work in a rehabilitation centre?
An ideal candidate wishing to work in this important and challenging sector would be;
Someone who has a real passion for Cooking.
Ideally, 1 year of previous experience working as a Chef/Cook.
Ability to work on shift/rota pattern.
Have the right to work in the UK.
Excellent organisation and housekeeping skills.
Working knowledge of health and safety standards in their industry.
Ability to work well under pressure, as part of a team and communicate effectively with other kitchen staff.
Previous experience working in a healthcare environment would be beneficial but this depends on the individual centre.
You get to go to different venues, you’re not stuck in the same job endlessly, not boring. You don’t have to go back when you don’t like somewhere and there is a variety of jobs.
Working for The Chef Tree is completely different from being a full-time chef. You choose the hours you want to do, fill in your portal, and everything is arranged around that.
What does The Chef Tree Pay for a Rehabilitation Chef?
Our rates are dependent on your experience but a CDP can expect to earn £14 p.h, a sous chef, £16 p.h, a Head chef, £18 p.h and an Executive chef or weekend care home chef, £20 p.h.
What are the benefits of working for TCT?
When you join The Chef Tree you will be entitled to the following amazing benefits;
Competitive rates of pay. Our current rate for a cook is £16ph.
Our Monthly Bonus Scheme - Complete 166 hours per month (just under 38.5 hours per week) and you will receive £100 bonus. This will be paid monthly.
Our Refer a Chef scheme – If you refer a chef to us you will receive £150 when the chef completes 5 shifts. The chef you refer will receive £75 on completion of 5 shifts.
Access to our online benefit partners, Pirkx - a benefit scheme for courses, health, wellbeing, shopping and more! For more information visit www.pirkx.com
Where can you work as a Rehabilitation Chef?
I like working for The Chef Tree because of the freedom and the flexibility
You get to go to different venues, you’re not stuck in the same job endlessly, not boring. You don’t have to go back when you don’t like somewhere and there is a variety of jobs.
Working for The Chef Tree is completely different from being a full-time chef
You choose the hours you want to do, fill in your portal, and everything is
arranged around that
Call us: 071 8604 611