Head Chef

Runwood Care Homes; Battlesbridge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Weekly pay

Pension

Blue Light discounts

Family EAS

Induction & training

DBS & uniform

NVQ funding

Career progression

Employee of the Month

Job summary

Runwood Homes is recruiting a Head Chef to lead the in-house catering team across our residential care settings in England. You will create nutritious, flavourful menus with input from residents and manage the kitchen to deliver hotel-standard meals without long shifts.

You will oversee budgeting, stock, training, food safety (HACCP) and menu costing, while guiding staff to meet high quality and resident satisfaction. This role offers growth within the company and a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Leadership and team management experience in catering.
• Experience creating nutritious menus with costing.
• Understanding of special dietary requirements and nutrition.

Responsibilities

• Work within the agreed company budget.
• Ensure all kitchen staff are trained on dish specification and budget control.
• Manage the stock in the kitchen.
• Inspire and motivate the team to meet food specifications and resident satisfaction.
• Lead by example, setting pace and standards.
• Meet monthly with management to ensure dietary requirements are met.
• Train and develop the team to deliver food to specification.
• Ensure food is cooked to a safe temperature and taste-tested.
• Ensure storage of food meets health and safety requirements.
• Deliver kitchen standards as identified on the kitchen audit.
• Implement and ensure Health and Safety policy is met, including training.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Menu planning

Costing

Education

Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene certificate

HACCP knowledge

Job description

Head Chef

About the role: We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our Hospitality team. Working as a Head Chef at Runwood Homes, you will have the chance to deliver hotel and restaurant standard meals without the split shifts and long hours. Our Head Chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus, whilst liaising with residents to ensure they are involved in the menu creations. We are looking for a warm, motivated, and passionate Head Chef who is driven by quality and high standards, to deliver person-centred hospitality to our residents.

Benefits of working with Runwood Homes

• 28 days Paid Holiday
• Weekly Pay
• Pension Scheme
• Blue Light Card and access to various other discounts on travel, restaurants, days out and leisure
• Employee Assistance Scheme that is also available to immediate family members
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• Free DBS Check and uniform
• Funding and support towards obtaining NVQs
• Opportunities to progress your career within the company
• Employee of the Month awards

Key responsibilities

• Work within the agreed company budget.
• Ensure all kitchen staff are trained on dish specification and budget control.
• Manage the stock in the kitchen.
• Inspire and motivate the team to achieve food to specification and therefore ensure satisfaction of our residents.
• Lead by example, setting the pace and standards.
• Meet monthly with the management team to ensure dietary requirements for all residents are met.
• Train and develop the team to deliver food to specification and exceed residents' expectations.
• Ensure all food is cooked to a safe temperature and is taste tested before serving.
• Ensure that the storage of food meets company and statutory health and safety requirements.
• Deliver the company kitchen standards as identified on the kitchen audit.
• Implement and ensure the company Health and Safety policy is met at all times – this includes the training of all kitchen staff.

About you

The successful Head Chef will have relevant experience within a catering environment. You will have a secure understanding of special dietary and nutritional requirements, and be able to implement methods to ensure these needs are met. You will also have your Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene certificate, and a full understanding of H.A.C.C.P. You will be responsible for ensuring this is adhered to, and all relevant documentation is completed. Additionally, you will have experience in achieving food margins, and writing and planning menus with costing. As a Head Chef, you will possess excellent leadership skills, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

About Runwood Homes

Established in 1987, Runwood Homes is a leading provider of residential care, dementia care, and nursing care services, with a portfolio of 55 homes across England. Our commitment to delivering personalised care is at the core of our mission, as we strive to celebrate the lives of each and every one of our residents. At Runwood Homes, we prioritise the professional development of our staff by investing in comprehensive internal, external, and e-training programs at all levels. This dedication to continuous learning and growth ensures that our team is equipped to provide the highest quality of care to our residents. As we look towards the future, our reputation for delivering innovative care for individuals living with dementia continues to flourish. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of care excellence and setting new standards in the industry.

Recruitment details

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of adults. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

Job ID

TPBN1_UKTJ