Chef/Cook

St Mary's Care Homes; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Modern kitchen facilities

Career progression

Job summary

Acomb Manor, part of St Mary's Care Group, is seeking a talented Head Chef to lead the kitchen for a brand-new luxury care home in North Yorkshire. You’ll shape menus, kitchens culture, and dining experiences from day one, delivering restaurant-quality meals tailored to residents' tastes and dietary needs.

Working with residents and families, you’ll ensure high hygiene standards, manage stock and budgets, mentor your team, and help create a dining service that reflects warmth and quality while

Qualifications

• Experience as Head Chef or Chef Manager in a luxury care setting.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Solid knowledge of food safety, nutrition and dietary requirements.

Responsibilities

• Create exceptional dining experiences with fresh, high-quality meals.
• Lead and develop your kitchen team and foster a positive environment.
• Put residents at the heart of menus by understanding preferences and dietary needs.
• Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene and safety.
• Manage stock, place orders with approved suppliers and minimise waste.
• Drive quality, innovation and seasonal menu options.
• Take ownership of kitchen operations and equipment.
• Be part of the leadership team shaping Acomb Manor's culture.

Skills

Head Chef Experience

Leadership

Food Safety

Budget Management

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Catering & Cookery

Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene

Job description

Acomb Manor - Head Chef
Some Opportunities Allow You to Join a Care Home. This Opportunity Allows You to Help Create One.

Location: Acomb Manor, Acomb, North Yorkshire
Hours: Full Time, 40 Hours Per Week (with every other weekend off)
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive

Help Us Create Extraordinary Dining Experiences From Day One

Acomb Manor is an exciting new luxury care home preparing to welcome its very first residents.

As part of the respected St Mary's Care Group, we're creating more than a beautiful new care home. We're creating a place where people feel valued, celebrated, and truly at home.

And at the heart of that experience is exceptional food.

We're looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen and help shape the dining experience from the very beginning. This is a unique opportunity to build a kitchen culture, create menus that residents genuinely love, and make every mealtime something to look forward to.

If you believe food has the power to comfort, connect, and bring joy, we would love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

As Head Chef, you'll take ownership of all aspects of our catering service, ensuring residents enjoy fresh, nutritious, restaurant-quality meals tailored to their tastes, preferences and dietary needs.

Working closely with residents, families and the wider leadership team, you'll help create a dining experience that reflects the warmth, quality and luxury that defines Acomb Manor.

Using fresh seasonal products, you'll have the freedom to bring creativity, passion and innovation while maintaining the highest standards of food quality, hygiene and safety.

What You'll Be Doing

Create Exceptional Dining Experiences

Prepare and serve fresh, high-quality meals that combine nutrition, presentation and flavour.

Lead and Develop Your Team

Inspire, coach and support your kitchen team, creating a positive environment where everyone can thrive.

Put Residents at the Heart of Your Menus

Work directly with residents to understand their preferences, favourite dishes and dietary requirements.

Maintain the Highest Standards

Ensure compliance with food hygiene regulations, HACCP, COSHH, Health & Safety and Environmental Health requirements.

Manage Your Kitchen Efficiently

Control stock levels, place orders with approved suppliers and ensure excellent stock rotation to minimise waste and maximise freshness.

Drive Quality and Innovation

Continually seek new ideas, seasonal dishes and creative menu choices that enhance the resident experience.

Take Ownership

Maintain kitchen equipment, oversee food safety standards and ensure the kitchen operates smoothly and professionally at all times.

Be Part of Our Leadership Team

Contribute ideas, attend team meetings and help shape the culture and success of Acomb Manor as we establish ourselves within the local community.

About You

You'll be someone who takes pride in creating outstanding food and understands the important role dining plays in residents' wellbeing and quality of life.

You'll have:

• Experience as a Head Chef or Chef Manager in a Luxury Care setting
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Experience managing stock, ordering and catering budgets.
• A thorough understanding of food safety, nutrition and dietary requirements, including IDDSI and fortified diets.
• A passion for delivering first-class customer service.
• A warm, approachable and positive personality.
• NVQ Level 3 in Catering & Cookery, City & Guilds equivalent or relevant professional qualification.
• Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene qualification.

Why Join Acomb Manor?

• Be part of a brand-new luxury care home from the very beginning.
• Help create a dining service that residents genuinely love.
• Competitive salary.
• Ongoing professional development and career progression.
• Supportive and approachable leadership team.
• Modern kitchen facilities and equipment.
• A workplace where your ideas and expertise are valued.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference every single day.

Join Our Opening Team

At Acomb Manor, we're building something special.

If you're a chef who believes great food creates great memories and wants the rare opportunity to shape a brand-new service from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you.