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Baker / Cook – Community Café (Employment Pathways)
Job Specifications
Aims and purpose of the role:
The Baker / Cook plays a key role in 4EDEN’s community café, producing high-quality baked goods and food, sold to the public whilst coaching and supporting adults with additional learning needs; enabling independence, confidence and future employment.
This role directly supports 4EDEN’s mission to promote the abilities, talents and value of people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity and to increase understanding within the wider community through meaningful, visible work.
In order to be selected for interview please ensure you demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria of the role and our values within your application.
Method of working:
4EDEN expects all staff to work effectively, both as individuals and as part of a team, delivering high quality services and support. In doing so, 4EDEN expect all staff to display the core competencies defined in the performance and development appraisal arrangements and to conduct themselves in a manner which befits their professional status and responsibilities.
This job description is a guide to the work the post holder will be required to undertake. In consultation with the post holder, it may be amended from time to time by the line manager to meet changing circumstances or business needs. Specific targets and objectives will be agreed with the post holder and will be reviewed regularly as part of the performance management arrangements.
| Criteria | Essential | Desirable |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | ||
| Proven experience working as a baker, cook or in a professional catering environment | ✓ | |
| Experience producing food for sale to the public | ✓ | |
| Experience working to routines, food standards and production schedules | ✓ | |
| Working knowledge of employment practices and legislation, with the ability to recognise when specialist HR advice is required | ✓ | |
| Skills & Knowledge | ||
| Strong practical baking and/or cooking skills | ✓ | |
| Good understanding of food hygiene, cleanliness and allergen awareness | ✓ | |
| Ability to explain tasks clearly and adapt methods for different learning styles | ✓ | |
| Good organisational and time-management skills | ✓ | |
| Basic numeracy skills for recipes, portioning and stock use | ✓ | |
| Personal Qualities | ||
| A genuine belief in the abilities and potential of people with learning disabilities and neurodiversity | ✓ | |
| Patient, calm, positive and encouraging approach | ✓ | |
| Flexible and solution-focused mindset | ✓ | |
| Respectful, inclusive and values-driven | ✓ | |
| Reliable and professional | ✓ | |
| Desirable Criteria | ||
| Experience supporting adults with additional learning needs, learning disabilities or neurodiversity | ✓ | |
| Experience in a charity, social enterprise, community café or training kitchen | ✓ | |
| Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety qualification | ✓ | |
| Experience mentoring, coaching, or supporting people towards employment | ✓ | |
| Interest in inclusive employment, social value or community development | ✓ |
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and bake a range of café products, including bread, cakes, pastries, savoury items and cooked dishes.
- Ensure food is produced to a consistent quality, suitable for public sale.
- Adapt recipes and production methods to support inclusive participation.
- Maintain high standards of food presentation and portion control.
- Coach, support and work alongside adults with additional learning needs in the bakery kitchen.
- Break tasks down into clear, achievable steps to support skill development.
- Encourage independence, confidence and pride in work.
- Positively reinforce abilities and achievements.
- Support individuals to work towards employability, routines and workplace expectations.
- Contribute to a welcoming café environment that showcases the skills of people 4EDEN supports.
- Act as an ambassador for inclusion, helping café customers better understand learning disabilities and neurodiversity.
- Promote dignity, respect and ability-focused language at all times.
- Maintain strict standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety.
- Ensure compliance with food safety legislation, allergen management and internal procedures.
- Support safe working practices for all staff and participants.
- Report hazards, incidents or concerns promptly.
- Assist with menu planning, seasonal products, and cost-effective use of ingredients.
- Support stock control, ordering and waste minimisation.
- Maintain kitchen equipment and report any maintenance issues.
- Set up and close down kitchen areas as required.
- Work collaboratively with café staff, coaches and team leaders.
- Uphold the values, ethos and inclusive culture of 4EDEN.
- Undertake any reasonable duties consistent with the role.
- Maintain the highest standards of professionalism at all times.
- Ensure compliance with organisational policies.
- Promote a positive, collaborative and professional working environment.
Why You Should Join Us
- A meaningful role with real social impact.
- Opportunity to change perceptions and promote understanding within the community.
- Supportive, values-led workplace.
- Flexible working, where possible.
- Enrolment into our workplace pension scheme into which 4EDEN contributes 3% of your salary if you meet qualifying criteria.
- Enrolment into an employer paid healthcare scheme that allows you to claim money towards the cost of dental, optical and other medical expenses and additional benefits for your well-being with the option to add your partner and free children’s cover.
- Your birthday off every year – paid.
- Training and development opportunities.
- As a valued member of our team, you’ll be eligible for the Blue Light Card, giving you access to a wide range of discounts across retail, travel, leisure and more (subscription reimbursement).
- Guaranteed monthly salary BACS into your bank account 3-working days before the end of every month.
- Introduce a friend scheme – £100 for you & £100 for your friend (subject to terms and conditions).
- Branded workwear.
- Christmas voucher.
Download Job Specifications
Apply Now!
We’re actively hiring so, if you’d like to make a real difference, we would love to hear from you!
Submit your application today or contact us directly to learn more.
Email: office@4eden.co.uk
Telephone: (01768) 892014