Chef

ExtraCare Charitable Trust; Bedford; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 33 days

Blue Light Card discounts

Cycle2work

Life insurance

Gym on site

Pension contribution

Attendance rewards

Job summary

ExtraCare Charitable Trust is hiring a Chef at Wixams Retirement Village in Bedford. You will deliver high-quality meals to residents, balancing taste, nutrition and budget. The role offers 28 hours per week on a permanent contract with a competitive salary and benefits.

Key duties include preparing homemade meals, offering varied menu choices, following HACCP, and supporting other kitchen duties as needed.Closing date: 15 September 2026. Interviews: w/c 21 September 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar environment.
• Ideal: NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
• High kitchen standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide homemade traditional meals.
• Offer residents an excellent choice of meals with good nutritional value.
• Assist with kitchen duties and HACCP.
• Ensure menus are prepared within budget.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Education

NVQ Level 2 / QFC or equivalent

Job description

Are you a passionate and committed Chefseeking a better work-life balance?

If so, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Chef to join us at our modern Retirement Village, based at Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford. You will provide an excellent quality dining experience for residents and in return will receive a competitive salary and benefits package including:

• 33 Days Annual Leave (FTE) Pro Rata for Part Time
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity allowance
• Enhanced employer pension contribution
• Eligible for Blue Light Card discounts
• Attendance Reward
• Free Life Insurance
• Buy And Sell Holiday
• Cycle2work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free Use of Onsite Gym

The role:

• Role: Chef
• Hours: 28hrs per week (permanent)
  • 4 days per week covering a mix of weekdays, weekends, and evenings
• Salary: £14.78ph
• Location: Wixams Retirement Village, Bedford Road, Bedford, MK42 6EA

Here at ExtraCare we offer our residents access to outstanding retirement villages, promoting care and lifestyle opportunities that truly do create ‘better lives for older people’. We are committed to offering fulfilling and worthwhile careers to all our staff – enabling you to deliver the quality of service we promise.

What will you do as our Chef?

• Provide homemade traditional meals
• Offer residents an excellent choice of meals which provide good nutritional value
• Assist with other kitchen duties and ensure HACCP is followed
• Ensure the menus are prepared within budget

Our ideal Chef will:

• Have experience of working in a similar environment
• Ideally be qualified to QFC / NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
• Possess high kitchen standards

Closing date: 15 September 2026

Proposed interviews: w/c 21 September 2026

This Chefrole will be subject to satisfactory DBS check, references and Home Office right to work clearance.

Extracare is committed to making our recruitment practices as fair and inclusive as possible for all. This includes making adjustments or changes to support candidates throughout the recruitment process