Head Chef

Care Concern Group; Bradford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid DBS

Pension

Uniform provided

5.6 weeks annual leave

Job summary

Cherrybrook Care Home in Bradford is seeking a Head Chef to take full ownership of the kitchen within a specialist care setting, delivering nutritious and enjoyable meals tailored to residents with complex health needs.

You will lead menu planning, cost control, stock management and compliance with food hygiene standards, working with the care team to support wellbeing and dignity.

The role offers a stable pattern, no late shifts, and development opportunities within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery or equivalent (NVQ Level 3 preferred).
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Proven experience running a professional kitchen.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition and specialised diets including pureed diets.

Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations including menu planning, food prep and stock control.
• Manage budgets, orders and food safety compliance.
• Prepare appetising meals tailored to dietary, nutritional and cultural needs.
• Develop and mentor the kitchen team to optimise quality and efficiency.

Skills

Head Chef Experience

Menu Planning

Stock Control

Food Safety

Leadership

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery

NVQ Level 3 (preferred)

Job description

Cherrybrook Care Home is a large, purpose designed service in Bradford, providing specialist care across two units for 120 residents with complex mental health needs, dementia and challenging behaviours. The home delivers high quality, clinically led care within a structured and supportive environment, combining specialist nursing expertise with a strong focus on dignity, stability and person centred support.

Head Chef Contract

• £14.60 per hour
• Contracted to 42 hours per week
• 7:00-17:30 inclusive or bank holidays, Christmas and New Year - Alternative weekends
• Paid DBS, pension, uniform provided
• 5.6 weeks annual leave (based on a full time contract)

No late evenings or split shifts, offering a consistent working pattern and genuine work life balance, alongside ongoing training, development and clear opportunities for career progression within a well structured and supportive environment.

Role Overview

As Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen within a specialist complex care setting, delivering high-quality, nutritious and enjoyable meals that support the health, wellbeing and individual needs of people living with complex physical and mental health conditions.

You will lead all aspects of the kitchen, including menu planning, food preparation, ordering, stock control, budget management and food safety compliance. Working with fresh ingredients, you will ensure meals are tailored to individual dietary, nutritional and cultural requirements, including modified textures and specialised diets such as pureed meals, while maintaining consistently high standards of presentation and taste.

You will have excellent baking skills and experience adapting menus to meet changing dietary and nutritional requirements. Working closely with the wider care team, you will ensure every meal is safe, nutritious and enjoyable, helping to enhance residents\' quality of life.

As the kitchen lead, you will be responsible for placing food and kitchen supply orders, maintaining appropriate stock levels, minimising waste and ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently while meeting all food hygiene and health and safety standards. You will also lead, motivate and develop your team, creating a positive and well-organised working environment focused on quality and continuous improvement.

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum NVQ Level 2 in Professional Cookery or equivalent (NVQ Level 3 preferred).
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Proven experience running and managing a professional kitchen.
• Strong knowledge of food nutrition and specialised diets, including pureed diets.
• Excellent baking skills.
• Experience planning menus and adapting them to meet dietary and nutritional requirements.
• Experience placing food and kitchen supply orders and managing stock levels.
• Ability to prepare appetising, well-presented meals while maintaining exceptional food hygiene standards.
• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills.
• Evidence of previous work is essential. Applicants must provide photographs of dishes they have prepared as part of their application.

About Us

Cherrybrook Care Home is part of Willinbrook Healthcare, the specialist complex care division of Care Concern Group, a family owned, market leading care provider with a strong and growing presence across the United Kingdom. We are committed to delivering high quality care and developing supportive, rewarding workplaces where our teams can thrive.

Through Willinbrook Healthcare, we deliver high quality, clinically led care for adults with complex physical and mental health needs within specialist, supportive environments.

Our five core values Trust, Respect, Passion, Kindness and Inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do, shaping the care we deliver and the environments we create. If you share these values and want to build or develop your career in a specialist care environment, we would love to hear from you.