• To carry out duties as instructed by the Catering Manager, Catering Officers or Executive Head Chef to ensure a quality service is provided 365 days a year to patients and staff in the hospital.
• To work as part of a team to ensure patient food is prepared, cooked and plated on time in accordance with dietary requirements and in line with Nutrition and Hydration Guidelines and food safety protocols (HACCP).
• To prepare and serve freshly cooked meals to customers in the staff cafeteria, at the required times, and in accordance with healthy eating and statutory standards

To help improve patient menus, cafeteria menus and standardised recipes in order to improve the overall food quality and choice in the hospital.

TA panel may be formed upon completion of this campaign for posts in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda, The Cottage Hospital and Louth County Hospital.

Candidates must at the latest date of application: 

1. Professional Qualifications & Experience, etc.

(a)

1. i) Have obtained a Professional Cookery award at minimum Level 6 on National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or equivalent maintained by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Or

1. ii) Have obtained an equivalent qualification to i) from another jurisdiction.

Or

• iii) Be currently employed as a Chef in the Irish Health Service.

And

(b)  Candidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability and professional ability, for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

Age

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where s/he is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004). A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Note¹: Candidates must achieve a pass in Ordinary or Higher level papers. A pass in a foundation level paper is not acceptable.  Candidates must have achieved these grades on the Leaving Certificate Established programme or the Leaving Certificate Vocational programme.  The Leaving Certification Applied Programme does not fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Please see attached job spec for your review:

Job Spec - Grade 2 Chef 2025