St. Ita’s Hospital in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick is recruiting a Chef I to join its catering team on a permanent, whole-time basis. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced catering professional to contribute to quality patient and resident care within one of HSE Mid West’s established healthcare facilities.
Role Overview
As Chef I, you will play a central role in the day-to-day operation of the catering service, preparing and presenting meals that meet the nutritional and dietary requirements of patients and residents. Working as part of a dedicated catering team, you will uphold the highest standards of food hygiene, safety, and quality in a busy healthcare environment.
This panel will also be used to fill future Chef I vacancies across the HSE Mid West region, covering Limerick, Tipperary (North), and Clare.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, cook, and present meals to the required standard, in line with menu plans and dietary specifications.
- Maintain full compliance with HACCP, food safety legislation, and HSE hygiene standards at all times.
- Contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the catering department across all meal service periods.
- Assist with stock management, including ordering, storage, and rotation of food supplies.
- Support the Catering Manager and senior catering staff in service planning and delivery.
- Participate in training, quality assurance, and continuous improvement initiatives within the department.
Requirements
Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for the Chef I grade as set out by the HSE. This typically includes a recognised culinary qualification and/or relevant experience in a professional catering environment. Full eligibility requirements are detailed in the campaign documentation available via the application link below.
Salary & Contract
€44,703 – €51,483 per annum (HSE Chef I scale, 14-point scale), based on the HSE Consolidated Salary Scales effective 1 February 2026.
Contract type: Permanent Wholetime.
Location
The primary base for this post is St. Ita’s Hospital, Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick — a HSE-managed facility providing a range of inpatient and community-based health services to the people of Limerick and the wider Mid West region. The successful candidate may also be required to work at other locations across the HSE Mid West area as service needs dictate.
About HSE Mid West
HSE Mid West provides acute, primary, and community health services across Limerick, Tipperary (North), and Clare. Its catering services play a vital role in patient recovery and wellbeing, and the team is committed to delivering nutritious, high-quality food to those in its care.
Application Details
Reference: HSEMW17926
Applications must be submitted online via Rezoomo. To apply, visit the link below:
For informal enquiries about the role, please contact:
Mr. Rory Fay – Catering Manager
Email: rory.fay@hse.ie
Phone: 061 483606
For enquiries relating to the recruitment process, please contact: UHLRecruitment@hse.ie
