Chef - Bank

NHS; Hitchin; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Hitchin is seeking a passionate Bank Chef to assist in delivering high-quality meals and create a welcoming atmosphere for residents. You will work with fresh seasonal foods, manage kitchen operations in the Head Chef's absence, and contribute to a person-centered hospitality experience. This role offers a flexible working pattern and the chance to grow within a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Free learning and development

Holiday, retail and leisure discounts

Refer a Friend bonus

Qualifications

• A genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents.
• Ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home.
• Experience in helping lead and inspire a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious menus.
• Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence.
• Contribute to a warm and fun environment.

Skills

Personable and warm approach

Experience in leading a team

Understanding of nutrition

Experience with fresh seasonal food

Understanding of HACCP

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Overview

This job opportunity at Barchester Healthcare as a Bank Chef offers the chance to work with fresh seasonal food, have a better work-life balance, and make a meaningful impact. Barchester is a leading UK healthcare provider, consistently reinvesting and growing, with a commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centered hospitality across its services.

Main duties

As a Bank Chef at Barchester, you will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus while working closely with residents to cater to their preferences. You will help manage the kitchen in the Head Chef\'s absence, work with fresh produce to deliver high-quality and wholesome dishes, and contribute to creating a warm, efficient, and fun environment. The role also involves stock control, budget management, and leading and motivating a team.

Responsibilities (Job responsibilities)

Are you a qualified chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Bank Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Barchester is one of the UKs leading healthcare providers, with over 224 homes and hospitals across the country. We are consistently reinvesting and growing, with several more new build homes due open and join the Barchester family. Barchester can offer long term career growth and opportunities for ambitious chefs who pride themselves on working at the highest of standards. We are also the only healthcare provider in the UK to be accredited as one of the best companies to work.

NEED TO HAVE

• A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
• Experience in helping lead and inspire a team
• A good understanding of nutrition
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food
• The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home
• Good understanding of HACCP

NEED TO DO

• Help manage the kitchen in the Head Chef\'s absence
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards
• Help create a warm, efficient and fun environment
• Work within budget
• Complete regular audits
• Manage stock control
• To assist in leading and motivating a team

REWARDS PACKAGE

Work life balance - working days with alternate weekends
Free learning and development
A range of holiday, retail and leisure discounts
Opportunity to showcase your talent at the annual Barchester Hospitality Awards
Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend bonus scheme

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be

Qualifications (Essential)

• A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
• Experience in helping lead and inspire a team
• A good understanding of nutrition
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food
• The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home
• Good understanding of HACCP

Details

Date posted: 16 September 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £17.81 an hour

Contract: Bank

Working pattern: Flexible working

Reference number: 1382253122

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare
Gosmore
SG4 7QH

Employer details

Barchester Healthcare
Gosmore
SG4 7QH

Disclosure

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.