Chef – Residential & Nursing Care Home

Quest Employment; Mere; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous professional development

Supportive work environment

Job summary

Quest Employment is seeking a compassionate Chef for a modern residential and nursing care home in Mere, near Warminster. You will prepare high-quality, nutritious meals for residents, supporting their health, wellbeing and dignity, while stepping up to lead the kitchen in the Chef Manager's absence.

You will ensure food safety, hygiene and service throughout the day, and work with care staff to tailor nutrition to residents' needs and preferences.

Qualifications

• Proven catering experience within care or residential settings.
• Food hygiene certification and knowledge of COSHH.
• Good communication, empathy and teamwork with residents and staff.

Responsibilities

• Meal preparation, cooking and presenting meals for breakfast, lunch, supper and events.
• Bake cakes and pastries for the home’s coffee shop and greet visitors.
• Cover for the Chef Manager when required and supervise Hosts and Kitchen Assistants.
• Complete daily/weekly/monthly due diligence; maintain kitchen hygiene and supplier orders.
• Support resident wellbeing through nutrition aligned with risk assessments and care plans.

Skills

Catering experience

Food hygiene certification

COSHH knowledge

Manual handling

Empathy

Teamwork

Communication skills

Dementia awareness

Job description

Location: Mere, Warminster (BA12)

Salary: £29,744 based on 40-hour working week

About the Role

We are seeking a compassionate and talented Chef to join our kitchen team at a modern residential and nursing care home in Mere, near Warminster. In this role, you will prepare high-quality, nutritional meals for our residents, supporting their health, wellbeing, and dignity. You will also step up to lead the kitchen department in the absence of the Chef Manager, ensuring high standards of food safety, hygiene, and service throughout the day.

Key Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation & Cooking: Prepare, cook, and present breakfast, lunch, supper, and private dining options according to specification and order sheets.

• Baking & Hospitality: Freshly bake cakes and pastries for the home's coffee shop and greet visitors with professionalism.

• Department Leadership: Cover for the Chef Manager when required, supervising Hosts and Kitchen Assistants.

• Compliance & Due Diligence: Complete daily, weekly, and monthly due diligence, adhere to COSHH guidelines, place supplier orders, and maintain exceptional kitchen hygiene.

• Resident Wellbeing: Support resident dignity and independence through tailored nutrition, adhering to risk assessments and person-centred care practices.

Requirements & Skills

• Experience: Proven catering experience, ideally within an elderly care or residential environment.

• Certifications: Food hygiene certification, alongside knowledge of COSHH and manual handling practices.

• Attributes: A genuine passion for supporting older adults, empathy, dependability, and a team-focused mindset.

• Key Skills: Strong communication abilities, effective time management, and an understanding of dementia and person-centred care.

What We Offer

• Opportunities for continuous professional development and training.

• A supportive, inclusive work environment dedicated to achieving excellence in care.