Head Chef

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

Job summary

A health and care provider based in Basildon is seeking a compassionate Head Chef to lead a kitchen team in delivering high-quality meals for residents. You will manage nutritional needs, ensure food safety compliance, and create enjoyable dining experiences while upholding the values of kindness and care. Ideal candidates will have qualifications in catering and hygiene, coupled with leadership and organizational skills.

Benefits

Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG

Free uniform

Company pension scheme

28 days annual leave including bank holidays

GP online service

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role, ideally in care homes.
• Ability to create enjoyable dining experiences and adapt to dietary needs.
• Commitment to high hygiene standards and food safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Inspire kitchen team to deliver high-quality meals.
• Manage stock, budgets, orders, and kitchen safety compliance.
• Create a warm dining atmosphere for residents.

Skills

Leadership

Team Motivation

Organizational Skills

Education

An S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery

A minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

A good understanding of HACCP

Job description

Overview

Job summary

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, youll have the opportunity to give something meaningful back to them through your care and commitment.

Main duties of the job

As Head Chef, youll inspire your kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that our Residents will genuinely enjoy. Youll 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, youll take responsibility for managing the kitchen efficiently overseeing stock, budgets, orders, and compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP. Youll work closely with central teams to maintain nutritional excellence while running a smooth, well-organised kitchen operation. Youll 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—its 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. We champion inclusivity and strive to reflect the communities we serve. We are enhancing how we support residents through digital care planning and will invest in your personal and professional development.

Details

Date posted: 08 October 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £15.01 to £15.61 an hour

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 66956

Job locations: Forest Glade, Dunton Hills, Laindon, Essex, SS16 6SX

Job responsibilities

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

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, youll have the opportunity to give something meaningful back to them through your care and commitment.

As Head Chef, youll inspire your kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that our Residents will genuinely enjoy. Youll 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, youll take responsibility for managing the kitchen efficiently overseeing stock, budgets, orders, and compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP. Youll work closely with central teams to maintain nutritional excellence while running a smooth, well-organised kitchen operation.

Youll 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.

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. Youll be organised, able to plan ahead, and take pride in delivering excellent service every day. Most importantly, youll be kind, considerate, and committed to making our care homes a great place to live and work.

Safeguarding is everyones responsibility and therefore it is important that you are able to recognise the 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.

About HC-One

At HC-One, kindness is more than a word—its 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. We champion inclusivity, fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. Our diverse workforce helps us learn from one another and better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds into our HC-One family and prioritise inclusive working practices across everything we do. 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. As we continue to grow our digital capabilities, we’re looking for team members who are comfortable with technology or open to learning. You'll be supported every step of the way. 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. Please note: We are only able to consider applications from individuals who already have the full right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship or accept applications from those on a time-limited visa. Applications that do not meet this criteria will not be progressed.

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 - a service providing around the clock GP consultation via an interactive app - available to you and your children under 16
• An opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues as part of an outstanding and committed team.
• Colleague discounts – Access to over 1600 high street discounts including carefully selected discount partners.
• Wellbeing - free of charge access to an independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme. This gives Colleagues and their family access to 24/7 365 support for a whole range of issues including physical, mental and financial issues
• Excellent recognition schemes such as Kindness in Care and Long Service Awards
• An attractive refer a friend scheme of up to £1000 per referral, depending on the role

Post details

Person Specification

Qualifications

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

Experience

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

Additional Criteria

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

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name: HC-One

Address: Forest Glade, Dunton Hills, Laindon, Essex, SS16 6SX

Employer's website: HC-One