Chef

The Orders of St John Care Trust; Bicester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in Bicester is seeking an experienced Chef to manage kitchen services in a care home. The role offers full autonomy in menu design, focusing on nutritious and high-quality meals for residents. Ideal candidates will have experience in catering for large groups, leadership skills, and knowledge of menu planning for specialized diets. You'll join a supportive team committed to providing exceptional care. Competitive salary and benefits package offered, including 30 days holiday and a company pension.

Benefits

30 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)

Company pension

Free uniform

Free DBS

Higher pay rates at weekends

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Refer a Friend scheme

Discounts via Blue Light Card and My Rewards

Qualifications

• Proven experience in catering for large groups of people.
• Ability to cook with fresh seasonal food and design menus.
• Experience in leading and motivating a kitchen team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of kitchen and catering services.
• Ensure standards of nutrition, hygiene, and safety.
• Build relationships with residents and accommodate their preferences.

Skills

Experience in a professional kitchen

Menu planning for specialist diets

Team leadership

Budget and stock management

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership

Job description

About the Role

Chef Location: Langford View Care Home, Bicester, Oxfordshire Pay rate: £15.64 per hour (plus weekend and NVQ enhancements available).

Contracted hours: 37.5 Hours Per Week Shift Times: 6:30am -2:00pm various days of the week and every other weekend.

Are you an experienced chef, used to catering for large groups of people, looking to design your own menus, cooking with fresh seasonal food? Are you looking for your next challenge without split shifts and anti-social hours? Would you like full autonomy over menu development, with the opportunity to cook nutritious, high quality, flavoursome and well-balanced meals that our residents will love?

Working as a Chef in our homes, you’ll oversee all aspects of our kitchen and catering services including management of a small team, ensuring the highest standards of nutrition, hygiene and safety at all times. You may occasionally be asked to cater for meals for other day centres, luncheon clubs and community activities and some weekend work will be required. Nutrition is an important element of the care package that we provide. You’ll be actively involved in the nutritional needs of our residents to ensure that a high-quality dining experience is received by everyone. You’ll build relationships with our residents and their families so that you understand and can accommodate their personal preferences. In joining us, you’ll also become part of our extended family. You’ll work alongside other team members who are passionate about providing care, warmth and kindness to all those who live and work in our homes.

In Return

At Langford View we offer specialist and high-quality residential, nursing, early-stage dementia and respite care for up to 60 residents in a calm, friendly and comfortable surroundings.

The Trust is a great place to work; we’ve been providing care for almost 1,000 years and we’re currently the second largest not-for-profit provider in the UK. Not-for-profit means that we reinvest every penny we make into our residents, colleagues and the care homes we live and work in. Therefore, we offer a great range of benefits, including a competitive salary, training and development.

• 30 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
• A Company pension
• Free uniform
• Free DBS
• Higher rates of pay at weekends
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Refer a Friend scheme rewarding you up to £1000 for every recommendation you make who successfully starts working for us
• Blue Light Card and “My Rewards” programme, offering you discounts on shopping, days out, restaurants and much more

About You

You’ll need to have previous experience of working in a professional kitchen, providing meals for large numbers, with knowledge of menu planning for specialist diets. Ideally you will hold, or be working towards, a Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership or equivalent but this is not essential. You’ll have experience of leading, motivating and inspiring a team and be confident in engaging with our elderly residents to understand their individual needs. You’ll know how to manage your budget and stock effectively. If you think you have the right skills and attitude we’re looking for as a chef within our care homes, then you could be the next to join us. So, apply and get your career started with us today. We reserve the right to close this role before the closing date, with no advance notice. We do encourage you to complete an application as soon as possible if interested.