Chef

Hartford Care; Woodlands; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on shift

Free on-site parking

Paid holidays & pension

DBS check paid

Training & development

Job summary

Hartford Care's Woodlands House in Totton is seeking a talented and compassionate Chef to join our friendly care home team. This rewarding role focuses on preparing fresh, nutritious meals for residents and enhancing their dining experience, with no late nights or split shifts.

You will cater for dietary needs, maintain high hygiene standards, manage stock, and engage with residents daily to create enjoyable meals. We offer daytime shifts, paid DBS, training, and accommodation where available.

Qualifications

• Previous Chef experience
• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above)
• Understanding of dietary needs (care setting experience is a plus)

Responsibilities

• Prepare fresh, nutritious, and appetising meals for residents
• Cater for dietary needs (e.g. soft diets, allergies, diabetic requirements)
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and kitchen safety
• Manage stock and minimise waste
• Engage with residents to enhance their dining experience

Skills

Chef experience

Food Hygiene Level 2

Dietary needs knowledge

Team player

Job description

This position will include an additional £3,000 attraction payment (T&C's apply). Accommodation is also available at this location.

Chef - Care Home - Come and Join Us and Make a Real Difference Every Day

We are looking for a talented and compassionate Chef to join our friendly care home team. This is a rewarding opportunity to use your culinary skills in a role where your work truly matters — improving the wellbeing and happiness of our residents every single day - with no late nights or split shifts.

Location

Woodlands House, Totton

Hours

Full time / 37.5 hours - daytime shifts only

Your Role

• Prepare fresh, nutritious, and appetising meals for residents
• Cater for dietary needs (e.g. soft diets, allergies, diabetic requirements)
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and kitchen safety
• Manage stock and minimise waste
• Engage with residents to enhance their dining experience

What We’re Looking For

• Previous Chef experience
• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above)
• Understanding of dietary needs (care setting experience is a plus)
• Reliable, caring, and team-focused attitude

Why join us?

• No out-of-hours working - no late nights or unsociable hours
• Consistent daytime shifts for a great work-life balance
• Free meals on shift
• Free on-site parkingPaid holiday + pension scheme
• Paid DBS check
• Ongoing training & development opportunities
• Supportive, friendly working environment

Enjoy a better work-life balance in a role where you can still be creative and passionate about food — without the pressure, long nights, or unpredictable hours of the hospitality industry.