Head Chef

Constantia Healthcare Group; Borough of Rossendale; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in the United Kingdom seeks a skilled Chef/Cook to prepare meals while considering dietary needs. Responsibilities include managing catering staff, ordering supplies within budget, and ensuring high standards of food hygiene. The ideal candidate will have qualifications in cookery, experience in dietary modifications, and leadership abilities. This role emphasizes compassion, dignity, and professional excellence, creating a supportive environment for both staff and service users.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a similar environment.
• Experience with texture modified diets.
• Experience of working with service users with additional support needs.
• Supervisory role experience.
• Budgetary experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare menus by considering service user preferences and diets.
• Create duty rotas for catering staff.
• Order supplies and maintain cost control.
• Lead, motivate, and direct catering staff.

Skills

Proficient writing skills

Budgetary skills

Communication skills

Knowledge of texture modified diets

Education

Vocational qualification / HNC / City & Guilds qualification in cookery

Qualifications in texture modified food

Qualifications in serving moulded food

Job description

Job Overview

Reports to: The Registered Manager

Prepare menus and agree them with the service users and the manager, including any service user preferences, special diets and specific foods as needed

Prepare and serve all meals in a timely manner

Location: The service’s premises, but you are required to work from other locations at the discretion of the company and with appropriate notice.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Job

About The Role

Role-specific Duties

The Chef’s / Cook’s responsibilities include but are not limited to the following :

• Create duty rotas for catering staff, ensuring there are enough skilled staff on duty
• Under the supervision of the manager, order enough supplies for the catering operation from specified suppliers using company procedures, and maintain strict control over costs
• Operate an efficient stock control system

Ensure supplied equipment is used with care, in accordance with suppliers’ instructions and training

Ensure all equipment is in good working order and report any faults immediately. If any machine is felt to be dangerous, withdraw it from service immediately

Be responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of those individuals the service supports

Working with Others

Lead, motivate and direct staff

Under the supervision of the manager, carry out annual staff appraisals for catering staff

Other Duties

Other duties and responsibilities may include :

• Assist in the recruitment of catering staff
• Conduct staff supervision and personal development plans for catering staff
• Induct new starters in accordance with company policy

Personal and Professional Development

Seek opportunities for personal and professional growth

Take responsibility for own professional development through performance and development reviews and undertake any relevant training

Specific Requirement for Qualifications

• Vocational qualification / HNC / City & Guilds qualification in cookery
• Qualifications in texture modified food
• Qualifications in serving moulded food

Specific Requirement for Skills

Proficient writing skills

Ensure accurate, legible records are kept

Ensure compliance with statutory and company requirements on food hygiene, storage and temperature control

Budgetary skills

Ensure all catering ingredients and equipment are purchased within budgetary constraints

Manage waste effectively

Communication skills

Regularly seek feedback from people and plan changes according to feedback

Attend regular meetings to stay informed of expectations and views

Knowledge of texture modified diets

Specific Requirement for Previous Experience

• Previous experience of working in a similar environment
• Experience with texture modified diets
• Experience of working with service users who have additional support needs
• Budgetary experience
• Previous experience of working in a supervisory role

Values-based Personal Qualities

Working Together

Involve service users, families, external agencies and colleagues

Speak up when things go wrong

Respect and Dignity

Understand person-centred care and demonstrate treating people as individuals and respecting choices

Promote independence and encourage appropriate risk taking

Everybody Counts

Ensure no one is discriminated against or excluded

Understand human rights and their impact on care delivery

Facilitate people to speak up about concerns and act upon them

Commitment to Quality of Care

Strive for quality in everything we do, recognising and understanding what quality in care means for people using the services

Be accepting about criticism and focus on improvement

Be open to new opportunities for learning and identify the limits of skills and knowledge

Compassion

Treat people with kindness

Understand the importance of empathy in all areas of employment

Understand the values of others and always provide a caring service

Improving Lives

Focus on how things could be done better and share ideas

Understand wellbeing and what is important to people using the service

Improve outcomes for people

Ensure appropriate services are provided for people using the services

Skills Needed

About The Company

Constantia Healthcare Group is a small yet robust organisation caring for people with age-related needs and complex care and support requirements. We ensure that the person we care for is at the centre of everything we do and, we ensure our colleagues are well supported, appreciated and invested in. At Constantia we want our organisation to work for the people we care for and our colleagues. We are an organisation that strives for excellence and accepts nothing less. We are continuously looking to invest in our services and in our teams.

Company Culture

Constantia Care’s culture is built on a foundation of compassion, dignity, and professional excellence. They believe in a person-centered approach, prioritizing each client's independence and well-being. This is achieved by fostering an environment of trust and open communication with clients, their families, and staff. The company invests heavily in its caregivers, providing ongoing training and 24 / 7 support. This commitment to making lives better—for both those they care for and those who provide the care—shapes every interaction and ensures a high standard of service.

Desired Criteria

Required Criteria

• Previous experience of working in a similar environment
• Experience with texture modified diets
• Previous experience of working in a supervisory role
• Budgetary experience
• Experience of working with service users who have additional support needs
• cook
• chef

Closing Date Wednesday 24th December, 2025