Senior Cafe Cook (Community Cafe)

We're looking for an experienced and friendly Senior Café Cook to join the team at The Hop 50+, our vibrant community café and activity centre in the heart of Hove.

You'll take the lead in planning and preparing fresh, homemade lunches, snacks and cakes while helping create a warm, welcoming environment for older people. As well as cooking, you'll enjoy working with customers, supporting café staff and volunteers, and contributing to the day-to-day running and ongoing development of our popular community café.

We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those from communities currently underrepresented in our workforce.

You will:

• Plan, prepare and serve fresh lunches, snacks and cakes for customers
• Support and supervise café staff and volunteers to deliver an excellent customer experience
• Manage food ordering, stock control and daily cash handling
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health and safety and cleanliness
• Help develop the café through new ideas, seasonal menus and special events

We're looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Experience preparing and cooking fresh meals in a busy café, catering or hospitality environment
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to build positive relationships with customers, colleagues and volunteers
• Confidence supervising or supporting staff and volunteers as part of a small team
• Strong organisational skills, including menu planning, stock control and maintaining food safety standards
• A commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for older people and people living with dementia

A Level 2 Food Safety in Catering qualification is desirable, or a willingness to achieve this within an agreed timeframe.

We're a flexible, supportive employer and are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would help you succeed in the role.

Why join us?

Impact Initiatives is a Brighton-based charity supporting people of all ages across Sussex to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

The Hop 50+ is much more than a café. It's a welcoming community hub where people aged 50+ can enjoy freshly prepared food alongside activities, friendships and specialist support, including dementia-friendly sessions. You'll play an important part in creating an environment where people feel connected, valued and supported.

Interested in finding out more?

This post is subject to a Basic DBS check. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent someone from working with us, and any disclosures will be considered in relation to the duties of the role.

Closing date: Monday 3 August 2026 (9.00 am)

For further details and to apply, please visit the jobs page on our website