Culinary Skills Coach

National Skills Agency; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

National Skills Agency seeks a Culinary Skills Coach to support care home and NHS catering development. You will coach and mentor apprentices, deliver practical training, and assess progress across Levels 2–4, while helping care providers improve nutrition and dining experiences.

The role emphasizes travel across London and nationally with hybrid/home-based work and opportunities to develop further teaching qualifications.

Qualifications

• Established culinary professional with senior leadership or management experience in care catering.
• Experience coaching and mentoring staff to raise standards.
• Knowledge of nutrition, dietary needs of older people, and care catering guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Manage a national caseload of culinary apprentices and supervise Levels 2–4.
• Deliver engaging training sessions online and in-person.
• Carry out workplace assessments and support learners' portfolios.
• Provide constructive feedback and mentoring for qualification success.
• Support learners in EPA preparation and progression.
• Embed Functional Skills (Maths and English) into training activities.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Care catering

Training delivery

Mentoring

Job description

Job Title

Culinary Skills Coach

Location

Hybrid / Home Based - Kent, with travel across London and occasionally nationally

Salary

£32,000

About the Role

Our client is seeking an experienced Culinary Skills Coach with specialist knowledge of care home, healthcare or NHS catering to support the development of the next generation of catering professionals within the health and social care sector.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head Chef, Care Catering Manager or senior culinary professional who is passionate about improving food quality, nutrition and the overall dining experience for people living in care settings.

Food in care is about much more than cooking. It plays a vital role in nutrition, health, dignity, wellbeing, choice and quality of life. Our client is looking for someone who understands the unique challenges of catering within care environments and can use their industry expertise to coach, mentor and inspire others.

The Culinary Skills Coach will work with apprentices undertaking catering qualifications at Levels 2-4, delivering engaging training, practical development and workplace assessments. You will also support care providers in improving their catering standards, nutritional provision and mealtime experiences.

A fully funded Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) may also be available for the successful candidate.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a national caseload of culinary apprentices, supporting their development and progression through Levels 2-4.
• Deliver engaging training and coaching sessions, both online and face-to-face.
• Carry out workplace assessments and support learners with building their portfolios of evidence.
• Provide constructive feedback, guidance and mentoring to help learners achieve their qualifications.
• Support learners in preparing for End Point Assessments (EPA).
• Embed Functional Skills, including Maths and English, into training and workplace activities.
• Work with care providers to improve food quality, nutritional standards and the overall dining experience.
• Promote current industry guidance, legislation and best practice within care catering.
• Support the development of catering training materials and curriculum content.
• Contribute to the growth and development of the organisation's social care apprenticeship provision.
• Build strong working relationships with employers, learners and relevant healthcare professionals.
• Monitor learner progress, identify additional support requirements and promote successful achievement.

About You

• We are looking for an established culinary professional with substantial experience in care home, healthcare or social care catering, ideally within a senior leadership or management position.
• You will have the credibility and practical industry knowledge to support others, alongside a genuine passion for developing people and raising standards across the sector.
• Significant experience in care home, healthcare or NHS catering.
• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Catering Manager, Executive Chef or in a similar senior culinary position.
• Strong knowledge of nutritional requirements and the dietary needs of older people.
• An understanding of malnutrition, hydration, food fortification and therapeutic diets.
• Knowledge of allergens, food safety and person-centred menu planning.
• Practical experience or knowledge of dementia care and changing dietary requirements as people age.
• Understanding of dysphagia and IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) standards.
• Knowledge of relevant care catering guidance, including NACC, British Dietetic Association (BDA) guidance and CQC expectations.
• Confidence working alongside healthcare professionals to meet individual nutritional and clinical requirements.
• A passion for improving mealtime experiences, protecting residents' dignity and promoting choice and enjoyment.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing kitchen teams.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to motivate, coach and inspire individuals to achieve their potential.
• Confidence using IT systems and digital platforms to support training and assessment.
• Previous experience as a Culinary Skills Coach would be advantageous but is not essential. Our client is particularly interested in individuals who can bring strong industry experience and a willingness to develop into a training and assessment role.

Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid/home-based position, with travel required to care settings and employer locations across London, with occasional national travel, including to the North of England.

The Culinary Skills Coach should be comfortable with travel of approximately 50% of their working time.

Proximity to the organisation's head office in Kent would be advantageous but is not essential.

Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds