Head Chef

Chandlers Ltd; Chandler's Ford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid DBS

Pension scheme

Uniform provided

4.5 weeks annual leave

No late evenings or split shifts

Training & career progression

Wagestream financial wellbeing

Meal during shifts

GP Online for dependants

Discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Group life assurance

Job summary

Chandlers Ltd is seeking a Head Chef to take full ownership of the kitchen at Chandlers Ford Care Home. You will lead from the front to deliver high quality, nutritious meals tailored to dietary needs while maintaining presentation, nutrition and food safety.

You will manage stock, ordering and budgets with a focus on efficiency and waste reduction, while developing a motivated, high-performing team and providing ongoing training and career progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience leading or managing a kitchen.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills.
• Good understanding of dietary requirements and food safety.
• Proactive, reliable and quality focused.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the kitchen, driving high quality, nutritious meals.
• Plan menus, prepare meals and manage stock and budgets.
• Ensure compliance and drive team performance.
• Minimise waste while maintaining quality and presentation.
• Develop and mentor kitchen staff for continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Dietary requirements knowledge

Proactive & reliable

Quality focus

Proven kitchen management

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or equivalent

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

As Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen, leading from the front to deliver high quality, nutritious and enjoyable meals that are central to daily life. This is a role where your leadership and standards will shape the entire dining experience, creating meals that residents look forward to every day. You will drive all aspects of kitchen operations, from menu planning and food preparation to stock control, compliance and team performance. Working with fresh ingredients, you will ensure meals are tailored to individual dietary needs while maintaining consistently high standards of presentation, nutrition and food safety. With a strong focus on efficiency and cost control, you will manage stock, ordering and budgets effectively, minimising waste while ensuring quality is never compromised. Leading and developing your team, you will build a well organised, motivated and high performing kitchen. This role offers a rare opportunity to combine strong leadership, quality food and a better work life balance.

• City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or equivalent, or working towards
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Proven experience leading or managing a kitchen
• Strong leadership and organisational skills
• Good understanding of dietary requirements and food safety
• A proactive, reliable and quality focused approach
• Chandlers Ford Care Home is a 41 bed, purpose built care home in the village of Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, on the eastern edge of the South Downs National Park. Providing residential and nursing care, the home offers a welcoming and close knit environment with bright, stylish living spaces, an enclosed garden and comfortable shared areas. Colleagues are part of a supportive team that works together to provide high quality, person centred care and ensure Residents feel valued and supported., Chandlers Ford is part of Care Concern Group, a family-owned, market-leading care provider with a strong and growing presence across the UK. We are committed to delivering high-quality care and creating supportive, rewarding workplaces where our colleagues can grow, develop and thrive.
• £16.20 to £16.80 per hour
• Contracted to 40 hours per week
• 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.
• Paid Enhanced DBS
• Uniform provided
• Group life assurance cover
• Wagestream - financial wellbeing support and flexible access to earned pay
• A nutritious meal during shifts of eight hours or more
• GP Online for you and your dependants under 16
• Access to more than 1,600 high-street and online discounts
• Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7, 365 days a year
• Award-winning learning and development, with support to achieve recognised qualifications
• Clear opportunities for career development and progression
• Recognition initiatives and Long Service Awards