Chef

Oakland Care; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 42,706,000 - 44,772,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal per shift

Enhanced Bank Holiday pay

Uniform provided

Increased Annual Leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Milestone birthdays - extra time off

Company sickpay above statutory

Refer a Friend scheme

Recognition and staff appreciation

Job summary

Oakland Care in Maidstone is seeking a skilled Chef to support the Head Chef in a fast-paced kitchen, delivering high-quality meals for residents. You'll work closely with the team to ensure nutritious, tasty dishes while maintaining stringent food safety standards.

With at least two years catering experience, you will follow care plans and adapt menus to dietary needs, including therapeutic and textured diets, and contribute to a structured, supportive environment with career progression.

Qualifications

• Two years of catering experience.
• Knowledge of food regulations and standards.
• Understanding of therapeutic and textured diets (advantageous).
• Ability to deliver high-quality catering service and follow structured menus.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Strong communication skills

Job description

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!

We offersome excellent rewards and benefits including:

• 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 celebratethat special birthday.
• Company sickpay which is over and above the statutory entitlement (subjectto length of service).
• Refer a FriendScheme for successfulreferrals- for all permanentroles 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).

And much more……….

Location: Maplewood Court, Northumberland Avenue, Maidstone ME15 7TA

Hours: 40 hours per week

Pay: £15.14 per hour

Contract: Full-time

Shift: Days (including some weekends)

As a Chef, you will play a key role in supporting the Head Chef with the day‑to‑day management of our fast‑paced, state‑of‑the‑art kitchen. Working closely with the Head Chef and our fantastic kitchen team, you’ll help deliver dishes of the highest standard while ensuring every resident receives an exceptional dining experience. This role also offers a great opportunity for personal development and career progression within a supportive and dynamic environment.

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.

“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