Job overview

To prepare and serve food to a high standard for distribution across the hospital, ensuring it meets user expectations and responds to the needs of patients, visitors, and staff through consistently excellent customer service. The post holder will work across various areas within the department and maintain high standards of hygiene and presentation at all times. They will support Supervisors and Managers by ensuring all preparation and kitchen areas remain clean, tidy, and well‑organised. The role also includes ensuring that staff, equipment, and food resources are used efficiently and cost‑effectively to support the overall delivery of the service.

Main duties of the job

Main duties include assisting with basic food preparation such as baguettes, sandwiches, salads, fruit and vegetables, beverages, and other tasks as directed by the Catering Manager. The post holder will also serve customers politely and professionally at all times, ensuring a positive experience within the catering department and responding to the needs of patients, visitors, and staff through excellent customer service.

Responsibilities also include replenishing and monitoring stock on shelves, ensuring timely re‑ordering through the correct procedures. The post holder will operate cash registers and manage cash takings in line with departmental guidelines. They will clean equipment and work areas—including storage spaces and temperature‑controlled areas—in accordance with HACCP guidance and with full understanding of COSHH requirements. They will also monitor and replenish cleaning materials, portable cleaning equipment, and disposables, ensuring stock levels remain adequate and reordering when required.

 

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.