Catering Manager & Head Cook (Care Home)

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

Job summary

Parkside Residential Home is seeking an experienced Catering Manager to lead its hospitality team and oversee a busy residential kitchen. The role combines hands-on cooking with management, ensuring nutritious, freshly prepared meals that meet dietary needs and cultural preferences.

You will manage menus, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with food safety standards, audits, and hygiene practices. The position requires commitment to residents’ wellbeing and a positive dining experience.

Qualifications

• Previous catering or food-service management experience.
• At least two years’ experience cooking for 30 or more people in a professional kitchen.
• Experience managing or supervising a kitchen team.
• A Catering Diploma, City & Guilds, BTEC or equivalent qualification.
• NVQ Level 3 in Practical Cookery.
• A Food Hygiene Certificate at Level 2 or above.
• Knowledge of HACCP, food safety and health and safety procedures.
• Experience managing kitchen stock, suppliers and budgets.
• Strong organisational, leadership and communication skills.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and shared digital systems.

Responsibilities

• Leading, supporting and developing the Hospitality team.
• Preparing and cooking fresh, homemade meals twice per week.
• Providing cooking cover during other team members’ holidays.
• Managing the staff rota to maintain a reliable seven-day catering service.
• Creating seasonal and varied menus based on residents’ needs and feedback.
• Preparing adapted meals for allergies, intolerances and other dietary requirements.
• Managing food orders, stock levels, suppliers and the catering budget.
• Ensuring compliance with food hygiene, HACCP and health and safety requirements.
• Maintaining accurate temperature logs, cleaning schedules, food labelling and kitchen records.
• Organising catering for birthdays, holidays and special events.
• Monitoring kitchen equipment and arranging maintenance or repairs.
• Training team members in safe working practices and the correct use of equipment.
• Completing catering audits and preparing for CQC and Environmental Health inspections.
• Working closely with care colleagues, residents and families to understand individual dietary needs and preferences.
• Monitoring food waste and supporting environmentally responsible kitchen practices.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Microsoft Office

Digital systems

Education

Catering Diploma / City & Guilds / BTEC or equivalent

NVQ Level 3 in Practical Cookery

Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2 or above

Tools

Microsoft Office

Kitchen management software

Job description

Parkside Residential Home is seeking an experienced Catering Manager to lead its hospitality team and oversee a busy residential kitchen. The role combines hands-on cooking with management, ensuring nutritious, freshly prepared meals that meet dietary needs and cultural preferences.

You will manage menus, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with food safety standards, audits, and hygiene practices. The position requires commitment to residents’ wellbeing and a positive dining experience.