Chef

Willing Care Recruitment Limited; Bicester; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced weekend pay

Company pension scheme

Employee benefits portal

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Willing Care Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced chef for a nursing home serving older adults in the United Kingdom. The role involves preparing and serving nutritious meals, planning varied menus, and catering for large groups with attention to dietary needs and safety standards.

You'll work to maintain high hygiene levels and collaborate with the care team to promote residents' wellbeing, with weekend enhancements and a supportive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Chef in a professional kitchen is essential.
• Care/nursing home catering experience is desirable.
• Experience cooking for large groups.
• Strong menu planning and food preparation skills.
• Good understanding of specialist diets and textures.
• Knowledge of food allergies and allergen management.
• Excellent food hygiene and safety knowledge.
• Strong organisational skills and flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve fresh, nutritious meals for residents.
• Create varied menus reflecting residents' preferences and dietary needs.
• Cater confidently for larger groups while maintaining quality.
• Prepare specialist diets and texture-modified meals safely.
• Manage food allergies and allergen management.
• Work closely with the care team to support residents' wellbeing.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness, hygiene and food safety standards.
• Oversee food storage, stock control and temperature records.
• Help make mealtimes an enjoyable part of residents' day.

Skills

Professional kitchen

Large group cooking

Food safety

Menu planning

Job description

£16.40 per Hour + Weekend Enhancements | 40 Hours per Week

We're looking for an experienced professional to join a nursing home for older adults, set in peaceful surroundings and offering a genuine home-from-home atmosphere.

Mealtimes are an important part of residents' daily lives, and this role offers the opportunity to create enjoyable dining experiences while catering for individual preferences, specialist diets and nutritional needs.

You'll need to be confident cooking for larger groups, planning varied menus and maintaining high standards of food safety. Previous experience in a care or nursing home would be advantageous, although experienced Chefs from other professional catering environments are also encouraged to apply.

Please note that this role DOES NOT offer Tier 2 sponsorship

What's On Offer

• Enhanced weekend pay
• Company pension scheme
• Employee benefits portal
• Employee Assistance Programme

Your Role

• Prepare and serve fresh, nutritious and appealing meals for residents
• Create varied menus that reflect residents' preferences and dietary requirements
• Cater confidently for larger groups while maintaining food quality
• Prepare specialist diets and texture-modified meals safely and accurately
• Manage food allergies, intolerances and individual nutritional needs
• Work closely with the care team to support residents' wellbeing
• Maintain high standards of kitchen cleanliness, hygiene and food safety
• Oversee food storage, stock control and temperature records
• Help make mealtimes an enjoyable and positive part of residents' day

All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check, verification of the right to work in the UK, and any other pre-employment checks required for the role.

Reference: WILL270019/JG

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience working as a Chef in a professional kitchen – essential
• Care or nursing home catering experience – desirable
• Experience preparing and cooking meals for large groups
• Strong menu planning and food preparation skills
• Good understanding of specialist diets, nutritional requirements and texture-modified meals
• Knowledge of food allergies, intolerances and allergen management
• Excellent understanding of food hygiene and food safety regulations
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage kitchen priorities
• A caring, reliable and flexible approach