Head Chef

Cinnamon; Bexhill-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Earlsfield Court, part of Cinnamon, is seeking a Head Chef on a 3-month full-time contract. The role involves leading a kitchen team and delivering high-end, locally sourced meals for residents in a luxurious 72-bed home.

You will supervise a second chef and kitchen assistants, ensure health and safety compliance, manage stock and supplier relations, and contribute to menu planning for individual dietary needs. Experience in catering and a strong safety record are required.

Qualifications

• Level 3 in Catering or equivalent QCF qualification.
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation.
• Team player, self-motivated, proactive, flexible and adaptable.
• Ability to organize and prioritise workload, and work under pressure.
• Ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships, including influencing skills.
• Reasonable access outside working hours in emergency situations.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing and managing a full kitchen team including a second chef and kitchen assistants.
• Ensure kitchen services are efficient and Health and Safety measures are in place.
• Monitor suppliers and control costs to minimise waste.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and food storage.
• Assist General Manager in handling catering service complaints.
• Participate in events to meet nutrition and hydration needs of residents.

Job description

Head Chef

£43,000 Pro Rata, 3 month Contract

Full Time Hours

A Top 20 Care Home Group 2026!

Awarded 'One Of The UK’s Best Companies To Work For'

Earlsfield Court is a stunning 72 bedded luxurious residential and dementia care home providing the very best in care and support.

We have an opportunity for a 3month full time hour contract for a Head Chef.

At Cinnamon we like to understand what our residents enjoy. That’s why our chefs visit all residents when they move into their new home. Our chefs will establish likes and dislikes and ensure that the home’s menu cycle works for them. On occasions when this doesn’t work they are happy to cook something different. Our chefs cater for modified and individual diets and have support at hand to seek advice and guidance if needed.

The standard of food that we require will be high-end, beautifully presented, using fresh ingredients and locally sourced where available. We insist that every meal time is a truly enjoyable experience for our residents.

Overseeing and managing a full kitchen team including a second chef and kitchen assistants, you will ensure that all kitchen services are efficient, and that the required Health and Safety measures are in place and adhered to within the department.

Additional requirements of this role include:

1. Monitoring the performance of suppliers and regularly check that their prices remain competitive, ensuring that the General Manager is kept informed accordingly.
2. Support cost-effective stock control systems and ensure these are in place to minimise waste.
3. Maintain a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen and food storage areas at all times, in accordance with the appropriate food hygiene regulations.
4. Ensure the management and implementation of safe working procedures and practices in accordance with Health and Safety legislation.
5. Assist the General Manager in the resolution of any complaints concerning the catering service.

Actively participate in events held in home, liaising with the General Manager and Activities Coordinator to ensure nutrition and hydration needs are met, as well as social aspects of such events.

Person Specification:

This role involves working within a team which is committed to providing an excellent food service to the residents, having appropriate supervisory experience and relevant qualifications pertaining to the safe delivery of Food and Hygiene or Catering Services.

Key Attributes:

• Level 3 in Catering or equivalent QCF qualification
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation
• Team player, self -motivated, proactive, flexible and adaptable
• Ability to organize and prioritise workload, and work under pressure
• Ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships, including influencing skills
• Reasonable access outside working hours in emergency situations