Head Chef

NHS; Basildon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Head Chef in Basildon to lead a kitchen team in delivering high-quality meals for residents. Candidates should hold an S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality and have relevant leadership experience. Responsibilities include managing kitchen operations and ensuring safety compliance while creating enjoyable dining experiences. The role offers various benefits, including a pension scheme and employee discounts.

Benefits

Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG

Free uniform

Company pension scheme

28 days annual leave

Colleague discounts

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience aligned to Head Chef responsibilities in Catering & Hospitality environments.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Ability to meet safeguarding and DBS requirements.

Responsibilities

• Inspire kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Manage kitchen efficiently, overseeing stock, budgets, and compliance.
• Shape mealtimes into enjoyable dining experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational Skills

Motivation

Education

S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Tools

HACCP

Job description

Overview

Its a quality that touches every part of life in our Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Specialist care homes. Everyone who works here understands that our Residents are individuals, each with their own life stories and by joining HC-One, you’ll have the opportunity to give something meaningful back to them through your care and commitment.

Main duties of the job

As Head Chef, you’ll inspire your kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that our Residents will genuinely enjoy. You’ll ensure every dish supports our Residents health and wellbeing, considering individual dietary needs, cultural preferences, and nutritional requirements. With hygiene and safety always front of mind, you’ll take responsibility for managing the kitchen efficiently, overseeing stock, budgets, orders, and compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP. You’ll work closely with central teams to maintain nutritional excellence while running a smooth, well-organised kitchen operation. You’ll also play a vital role in shaping mealtimes into enjoyable, ambient dining experiences. After all, great food in a welcoming environment can make a real difference to our Residents quality of life.

About us

At HC-One, kindness is more than a word—it's a way of life. We believe that caring for people means caring about what matters most to them, so we can support them to live their best possible lives. To provide the kindest possible care, everyone at HC-One brings and nurtures five key qualities we call Kindness the HC-One Way: We are curious, compassionate, creative, courageous, and dependable.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and it is important that you are able to recognise signs which may indicate possible abuse, harm or neglect in its different forms and know what to do if there are any concerns. All colleagues are required to attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and to undertake additional training in associated areas. You also have the ability to seek appropriate advice and report concerns, including escalation if action is not taken.

Job responsibilities

As a Head Chef at HC-One, kindness is at the heart of everything you do.

Were looking for someone with:

• An S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery
• A minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate
• A good understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Beyond qualifications, we value your energy, leadership, and ability to motivate others. You’ll be organised, able to plan ahead, and take pride in delivering excellent service every day. Most importantly, you’ll be kind, considerate, and committed to making our care homes a great place to live and work.

About HC-One

We are also enhancing the way we support residents through digital care planning. This technology is helping us streamline care, improve outcomes, and make daily tasks more efficient. We care about our colleagues and are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. From the moment you receive a job offer, we aim for the quickest possible turnaround to get you started, with full support every step of the way. With clear career pathways, continuous professional development, and postgraduate programmes, HC‑One will invest in your growth—opening up opportunities at regional and national levels.

Rewards & Benefits

You will enjoy access to a huge variety of benefits and services to support your physical and psychological well-being and throughout your career as a Head Chef we will invest in you and you will enjoy additional support and benefits including:

• Hourly rate is subject to experience and qualifications
• Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
• Free uniform
• During a shift of eight hours or more a nutritious meal will be available
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Group life assurance cover
• Wagestream - financial wellbeing and flexible access to pay as you need it
• Award-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications
• GP online and access to family health support
• Colleague discounts – access to over 1600 high-street discounts
• Wellbeing support and Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent recognition schemes such as Kindness in Care and Long Service Awards
• Refer a friend scheme up to £1000 per referral

Person Specification

Qualifications

• An S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery
• A good understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Experience

• Experience aligned to Head Chef responsibilities in Catering & Hospitality environments

Additional Criteria

• Right to work in the UK
• Ability to meet safeguarding and DBS requirements

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.