Chef - Harpenden Springs-Catering

Oakland Care; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Enhanced Bank Holiday pay

Uniform provided

Extra annual leave after 3 years

Cycle to work

Extra time off on birthdays

Sick pay above statutory

Refer a friend scheme

Staff recognition program

Long service awards

Health cash plan

Death in service

Job summary

Oakland Care in Harpenden is seeking a skilled Chef to support the Head Chef and deliver exceptional dining experiences for residents. You will work closely with the kitchen team, ensuring meals meet nutritional needs and are prepared to the highest standard.

With at least two years of catering experience, you will bring creativity, strong communication, and knowledge of food regulations and therapeutic textures to our structured kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• Two years catering experience or more.
• Knowledge of food regulations and standards.
• Experience with therapeutic and textured diets is advantageous.
• Ability to follow structured menus while showcasing creativity.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Catering excellence

Food safety knowledge

Dietary awareness

Communication

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: Harpenden Springs, 22-24 Grove Road, Harpenden AL5 1PX

Hours: 40 hours per week

Pay: Dependent on experience

Contract: Full-time

Shift: Days (5 x 8 hour shifts, 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