Head Chef

ExtraCare Charitable Trust; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 Days Annual Leave

Holiday purchase/sell option

Free Life Insurance

Cycle2work Village

Attendance Reward

Onsite Gym access

Up to 9% Pension Contributions

Training & Development

Job summary

ExtraCare Charitable Trust is seeking a Head Chef to lead the catering team at Pannel Croft Retirement Village in Birmingham. The role requires inspiring leadership, creative menu planning and overseeing events, with a strong focus on resident dietary needs and service excellence.

You will manage food provision, contribute to strategy, recruit staff, and ensure cost control while delivering high-quality meals in a supportive retirement setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Head Chef role or as a sous chef progressing to Head Chef.
• Ability to inspire and lead a team.
• Empathy and understanding of residents' dietary needs.
• Experience across diverse hospitality settings and menu planning.

Responsibilities

• Inspire, lead and manage the catering and hospitality team at Pannel Croft Retirement Village.
• Deliver and manage food and beverage services across the Village, including events.
• Develop hospitality strategy to support Village income and diversify services.
• Recruit hospitality staff and build a qualified team.
• Support residents with dietary needs in collaboration with other Village teams.
• Oversee procurement, stock control and cost/value management.
• Engage with residents on menus, pricing and service provision.
• Address customer feedback and ensure safe, compliant service.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu planning

Budgeting

Communication skills

Empathy for residents

Diverse hospitality settings

Team player

Job description

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust are recruiting for a Head Chef to lead the team at Pannel Croft Retirement Village.

Are you currently working as a Head Chef or perhaps looking for career progression and believe you have the relevant experience? We would love to hear from you!

We are looking for a creative and adaptable Chef with a passion for world cuisine. If you have experience crafting authentic, high-quality meals from various cultures and love bringing diverse flavours to the table, we want to hear from you!

Benefits

• 33 Days Annual Leave (FTE)
• Option to buy and sell holiday
• Free Life Insurance
• Cycle2work Village
• Attendance Reward
• Free Use of onsite Gym
• Up to 9% Pension Contributions
• Ongoing Training and Development

ExtraCare does not participate in the current “UK Visa Sponsorship” Village, and we would not be able to facilitate sponsorship.

Role Details

• Role: Head Chef
• Hours: 30 per week, split over 5 days
• Rate: £25, 215pa (£16.12per hour)
• Location: 290 Hospital St, Birmingham B19 2XU

What will you do as our Head Chef?

• Working with the Lifestyle Manager to inspire, lead and have responsibility for the catering and hospitality team at Pannel CroftRetirement Village and to exceed expectations on customer service, financial performance, and service quality.
• Be responsible for the delivery and management of the provision of food and beverage services across the Village including bar and events.
• Work with the Village Manager to develop the strategy for the hospitality service to contribute to the Village income strategy, including service diversification as appropriate (for instance, events, and meal delivery).
• Be involved in the recruitment of hospitality staff to build a motivated and qualified team.
• To contribute to the support offered to residents, working with other Village teams: Care, Wellbeing and Dementia Support, taking into account any specific dietary needs.
• To promote quality and value for money control procedures for procurement and stock management.
• Engage with residents on menu planning, pricing, and service provision.
• To actively monitor customer requirements and proactively address complaints and comments.
• Deliver a safe and compliant service within the legal frameworks of Health and Safety, Food Handling, and Hygiene.

Our ideal Head Chef will:

• Experience in a previous Head chef role or a sous chef wishing to progress
• Ability to inspire and lead a team
• Have empathy and understand our residents’ needs and dietary requirements
• Experience across diverse hospitality settings
• Menu planning and budgetary experience
• Team player
• Passionate and enthusiastic with excellent communication skills.

Here at ExtraCare we offer our residents access to outstanding retirement villages, promoting care and lifestyle opportunities that truly do create ‘better lives for older people’. We are committed to offering fulfilling and worthwhile careers to all our staff – enabling you to deliver the quality of service we promise.

ExtraCare strives to create a workplace that fully reflects society. We want our staff to feel empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work and be part of a safe and supportive community.

Shortlisted candidates with strong applications will be invited to interview during the week commencing October 12, 2026

This Head Chef post may be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, and will be subject to two references, medical clearance and Home Office right to work clearance.

ExtraCare is committed to making our recruitment practices as fair and inclusive as possible. This includes making reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process.

ExtraCare reserve the right to close this advertisement.