Chef

Willing Care Recruitment Limited; Witney; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced weekend rates

Employee benefits portal

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Willing Care Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Chef for a nursing home kitchen. You will prepare nutritious meals, plan menus, and cater for larger groups while respecting individual dietary needs and textures.

Candidates with care home or professional catering backgrounds are welcome, and DBS checks and right-to-work verifications are required. The role offers enhanced weekend rates and access to an employee benefits portal as part of a supportive team caring for older adults in a

Qualifications

• Experience working as a Chef in a professional kitchen—essential.
• Care or nursing home kitchen experience preferred.
• Confidence preparing meals for large groups.
• Strong menu planning and meal preparation skills.
• Good understanding of specialist diets and nutritional requirements.
• Knowledge of food allergies and allergen management.
• Ability to adapt meals to individual dietary needs, including modified textures.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, safety, and kitchen procedures.
• Ability to work in a busy kitchen with reliability and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook fresh, nutritious meals for residents.
• Plan varied menus balancing nutrition, choice, and preferences.
• Cater for larger groups while maintaining quality.
• Prepare specialist diets and texture-modified meals as required.
• Ensure allergies and dietary restrictions are managed safely.
• Collaborate with care team on residents’ nutritional and hydration needs.
• Maintain high standards of kitchen hygiene and safety.
• Manage stock, storage, and temperature records.
• Contribute to a welcoming mealtime experience for residents.

Skills

Professional kitchen

Care home experience

Menu planning

Dietary modifications

Allergen management

Food hygiene

Food safety

Organisational skills

Flexible and reliable

Job description

Good food is an important part of making a nursing home feel like home. From familiar favourites to carefully prepared meals that meet individual dietary needs, the kitchen plays a key role in residents' comfort, wellbeing and enjoyment of everyday life.

Set in a peaceful location, this welcoming nursing home provides a genuine home-from-home environment for older adults. We're looking for an experienced Chef who can prepare nutritious, enjoyable meals for larger groups while ensuring individual preferences, specialist diets and nutritional requirements are carefully considered.

Previous experience within a care or nursing home kitchen would be particularly beneficial, although candidates with strong professional catering experience and the relevant skills will also be considered.

What You’ll Receive

• Enhanced rates for weekend shifts
• Employee benefits portal
• Employee Assistance Programme

Your Role in the Kitchen

• Prepare and cook fresh, nutritious and appealing meals for residents
• Plan varied menus that balance nutrition, choice and residents' preferences
• Cater for larger groups while maintaining consistent quality
• Prepare specialist diets and texture-modified meals according to individual requirements
• Ensure food allergies and dietary restrictions are managed safely
• Work with the care team to understand residents' nutritional and hydration needs
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety
• Manage stock, food storage and temperature records
• Help create an enjoyable and welcoming mealtime experience for residents

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: WILL266574/JG

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience working as a Chef within a professional kitchen – essential
• Experience within a care or nursing home would be preferred
• Confidence preparing and serving meals for large groups
• Strong experience with menu planning and meal preparation
• Good understanding of specialist diets, food modification and nutritional requirements
• Knowledge of food allergies, intolerances and allergen management
• Experience adapting meals to meet individual dietary needs, including modified textures
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, food safety and kitchen procedures
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy kitchen
• A reliable, flexible and professional approach