Catering Manager-Care Home

Ad Talent Recruitment; Romford; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkside Residential Home in Romford is hiring a hands-on Catering Manager to lead the Hospitality team and ensure residents enjoy freshly cooked, nutritious meals daily. The role requires previous care home kitchen experience and reliable commuting to Romford.

You will oversee a seven‑day service, cook twice weekly, and provide cover during holidays, while managing rosters, budgets and supplier relations. A Catering Diploma or NVQ Level 3 and Level 2 Hygiene are required.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking for residents in a residential or nursing care setting.
• Minimum 2 years cooking for 30+ people in a professional kitchen.
• Catering/food-service management with supervision experience.
• Qualifications: Catering Diploma or City & Guilds or NVQ Level 3.
• Level 2+ Food Hygiene Certificate; HACCP knowledge.
• Experience managing kitchen stock, suppliers and budgets.
• Strong organisation and communication; proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Oversee seven-day catering service and main cook twice a week.
• Provide cooking cover during staff holidays.
• Lead Hospitality team; manage rota; train staff on safety.
• Plan varied seasonal menus reflecting residents' tastes and dietary needs.
• Ensure meals meet allergies and dietary requirements.
• Manage food orders, stock, budgets and waste.
• Maintain hygiene records, temperature checks, cleaning schedules, labelling.
• Prepare for inspections (CQC and Environmental Health).
• Plan catering for birthdays and special occasions.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Menu planning

Food preparation

Stock management

Communication

MS Office

Education

Catering Diploma

City & Guilds

NVQ Level 3 in Practical Cookery

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Catering Manager - Care Home

Parkside Residential Home | 65 Main Road, Romford, RM2 5EH
£35,000 per annum | Full-time, permanent | 37.5 hours per week
On-site role | Includes working every other weekend

Have you cooked for residents in a care home and supervised or managed a kitchen team? Parkside Residential Home is looking for a hands-on Catering Manager to lead our Hospitality team and make sure residents enjoy freshly cooked, nutritious meals every day.

Previous experience working in a care home kitchen is essential. You'll need to understand how to cater for residents' individual dietary needs and preferences and be able to commute reliably to our Romford site for all scheduled shifts, including alternate weekends.

The role

You'll oversee our seven-day catering service and take the lead in the kitchen as the main cook twice a week. You'll also provide cooking cover when other cooks are on annual leave.

• Lead and support the Hospitality team, manage the rota and train staff in safe kitchen practices.
• Plan varied seasonal menus that reflect residents' tastes, cultural preferences and dietary needs.
• Cook fresh, homemade meals and work with care colleagues to make sure residents receive meals suited to their individual needs, including allergies and intolerances.
• Manage food orders, stock, suppliers and the catering budget, and monitor food waste.
• Maintain our five-star food hygiene rating by keeping food safety records, temperature checks, cleaning schedules and labelling up to date.
• Carry out catering audits, prepare for CQC and Environmental Health inspections and arrange kitchen equipment maintenance when needed.
• Plan catering for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.

What you'll need

• Previous experience preparing and cooking meals for residents in a residential or nursing care home.
• At least two years' experience cooking for 30 or more people in a professional kitchen.
• Catering or food-service management experience, including supervising or managing a kitchen team.
• A Catering Diploma, City & Guilds, BTEC or equivalent qualification, plus NVQ Level 3 in Practical Cookery.
• A Level 2 or higher Food Hygiene Certificate and working knowledge of HACCP, food safety and health and safety procedures.
• Experience managing kitchen stock, suppliers and budgets.
• Good organisation and communication skills, with confidence using Microsoft Office and shared digital systems.

About Parkside

Parkside is a Christian residential care home where faith, compassion and community are central to daily life. You'll lead a supportive team and have the opportunity to shape menus around what residents enjoy and what they need.