Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Anu and I have been working at Orchard House for 18 years.
What inspired you to become a cook?
I have always had a passion for cooking and also for making a difference in people’s lives. Orchard House offers both of those and I’ve been enjoying it for 18 years.
Why did you choose to work for West Sussex?
I’ve lived in West Sussex for 26 years, so it's an ideal role that allows me to maintain work life balance.
Can you tell me a little about your career progression so far?
When I started, I was given the opportunity to develop my skills and do many different training courses, such as an NVQ. These allowed me to progress to a more senior position. There are always plenty of opportunities to develop further and to continue to learn and grow.
What is the best thing about being a cook at West Sussex?
My favourite part of my job is seeing the children enjoy the dishes I make and making them smile. I also have a great team which makes working at Orchard House truly wonderful.
What do you particularly enjoy about working in the team?
I get to take everyone's ideas on board to create menus for each season and term. Together, as a team, we are able to create meal plans that suit each and every dietary requirement.
How does West Sussex support you to develop and progress?
I regularly have meetings with my supervisor, which allows me to express any concerns or queries I might have. My managers are great at providing me with new learning opportunities or training for me to develop further.
Is there a particular case or something about your work here that makes you feel proud?
Since I’ve joined Orchard House, I’ve always maintained the kitchen rating at 5 stars. I think this has contributed to our Ofsted report consistently being 'Outstanding'. To maintain this standard, I have lots of support from my managers and team.
I also make sure to regularly supervise my kitchen team to make sure they are up-to-date with their training and most importantly, to check if they are happy.
I always go above and beyond to create menus that align with the children’s choices. That is the most important thing for me. I have always enjoyed and loved working at Orchard House.
Is there a challenging part of your job role that you enjoy?
Honestly, I don’t find this role challenging, as we’ve created a routine that allows me to leisurely plan everything in time and make sure we have all the ingredients ready in advance for the upcoming menus.
If there is one myth you could bust about this job, what would it be?
I think some people might believe that being in the kitchen team is boring, but every day is new and exciting. Every meal that we plan on the menu is carefully thought through so that no two weeks are the same.
What would you say to somebody considering joining us?
Working at Orchard House is truly an opportunity that I think you should take on. We have a wonderful team, lots of support and the work life balance is great as well.