Chef

Oakland Care Ltd; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals per shift

Enhanced Bank Holiday pay

Uniform provided

Increased Annual Leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Birthday time off

Company sick pay

Refer a Friend Scheme

Recognition initiatives

Long service awards

Health Cash Plan

Death in Service Benefit

Job summary

Oakland Care Ltd in Harpenden is seeking a skilled Chef to join our brand-new home. You will deliver a high-quality catering service, tailoring meals to residents’ nutritional needs and working closely with the Head Chef to ensure smooth kitchen operations.

We offer 40 hours per week, with days shifts and a pay rate of £15.53 per hour. The role requires at least two years of catering experience and a passion for nutritious, delicious food within a care setting.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years catering experience.
• Strong communication skills.
• Awareness of relevant food regulations and standards.
• Knowledge of dietary considerations including therapeutic and textured diets (advantageous).
• Proven experience delivering a high-quality catering service.
• Ability to follow a structured menu while bringing creativity to dishes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver an excellent food service at all times.
• Follow care and support plans to meet residents' nutritional needs.
• Prepare nutritious snacks on request by the General Manager.
• Ensure all food is high-quality, flavoursome and well-presented.
• Collaborate with Head Chef to maintain smooth kitchen operations.
• Manage stock control, including ordering and replenishment.

Skills

Catering experience

Communication skills

Food safety knowledge

Job description

Chef

Company: Oakland Care Ltd Salary: £15.53 per hour Hours: Full-time Location: Harpenden, AL5 1PX Job type: Permanent Posting date: 30 Oct 2026 Closing date: 12 Nov 2026

Our brand-new home in Harpenden is thriving and filling up fast—now we’re excited to grow our amazing team even further!

Are you a skilled and passionate Chef ready to take the next step in your culinary career? We’re looking for a creative, detail‑driven professional to join our team and deliver exceptional dining experiences. With at least two years of catering experience, strong communication skills, and solid knowledge of food regulations, therapeutic diets, and textured diets, you’ll thrive in our supportive and structured environment. If you’re committed to high standards, enjoy crafting nutritious and delicious meals, and want a role where your talent truly makes a difference, we’d love to hear from you!

Benefits

• We offer all team members 1 freemeal per shift.
• EnhancedBank Holiday pay.
• Uniform provided.
• Increased Annual Leave entitlement - team members who work with us for 3 years or more, get extra annual leave.
• Cycle to Work scheme – why not save money on commuting costs and improve your health at the same time.
• Milestone Birthdays - get EXTRA time off to celebrate that special birthday.
• Company sickpay which is over and above the statutory entitlement (subject to length of service).
• Refer a Friend Scheme for successful referrals - for all permanent roles within Oakland Care (T&C's apply).
• Recognition and staff appreciation initiatives.
• Long service awards.
• Health Cash Plan (subject to T&Cs).
• Death in Service Benefit (subject to T&Cs).

Location: Harpenden Springs, 22-24 Grove Road, Harpenden AL5 1PX

Hours: 40 hours per week

Pay: 15.53

Contract: Full-time

Shift: Days

What you will be doing:

• Delivering an excellent food service at all times.
• Following care and support plans to meet the specific nutritional needs of each resident.
• Preparing nutritious snacks as requested by the General Manager.
• Ensuring all prepared food is high‑quality, flavoursome, and beautifully presented.
• Collaborating closely with the Head Chef to maintain smooth kitchen operations.
• Managing stock control, including ordering and replenishment.

What you need to succeed:

• Strong communication skills.
• Ideally, a minimum of 2 years’ catering experience.
• Awareness of relevant food regulations and standards.
• Knowledge of therapeutic and textured diets (advantageous).
• Proven experience delivering a high‑quality catering service.
• Ability to follow a structured menu while bringing creativity to your dishes.

Mission & Values

“Our mission” is to provide exceptional homes for people to live, love and be loved where everyone is part of our family.

• Family
• Integrity
• Respect
• Exceptional
• Sustainable

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme