Head Chef

Sandstone Care Group; Congleton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care home in Congleton is searching for a Head Chef to enhance the culinary experience of its residents. Responsibilities include kitchen operations management, menu planning tailored to individual dietary needs, and mentoring culinary staff. This role emphasizes the importance of mealtimes for resident well-being and requires relevant experience and qualifications in professional cookery and food hygiene.

Benefits

Free uniform

Free Meals

Free DBS

Discounts on the high street

Flexible pay

Free wellbeing programme

Employee recognition scheme

Pension scheme

In-house training

Career opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills and experience in managing kitchens.
• Expertise in menu planning, budget management, and nutrition.
• Knowledge of EHO regulations and experience in dysphagia management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all kitchen operations to ensure high-quality dining experiences.
• Lead food production and menu planning while managing kitchen staff.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and quality standards.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Education

City & Guilds Diploma in Professional Cookery (Levels 1 & 2)

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

• Hours: Full-time, 38 hours per week
• Shifts: 7:30am - 5:30pm

At Priesty Fields Care Home, we are dedicated to providing exceptional residential and nursing care in a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment. Located in the historic market town of Congleton, our home seamlessly blends modern design with state-of-the-art care technology, ensuring our residents receive the highest standard of support and comfort.

We focus on delivering compassionate, person-centered care that respects each individual's unique needs and preferences. Our mission is to empower residents to live as independently as possible, while offering tailored care that promotes their well-being and quality of life.

Role Responsibilities: As Head Chef, you will be responsible for overseeing all kitchen operations, ensuring a high-quality dining experience tailored to the unique needs of our residents. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading food production, menu planning, staff management, and kitchen supplies.
• Ensuring compliance with health, safety, and quality standards.
• Crafting inclusive and varied menus that accommodate individual dietary needs.
• Inspiring and mentoring junior kitchen staff to maintain our reputation for culinary excellence.

Sandstone employees enjoy a range of benefits:

• Free uniform. Free Meals*. Free DBS.
• Discounts on the high street* - with retailers like Asda, Costa and Argos
• Refer-a-Friend - and get a £250 bonus
• Flexible pay* - choose when you are paid, and get money management tips too
• Free wellbeing programme - helping you look after your physical and mental health
• Employee recognition scheme - we recognise and reward great work
• Pension scheme - helping you plan for your retirement
• In-house training - on-going face-to-face training, tailored to you
• Career opportunities - The chance to ‘make your mark’ and play a key role

*Overtime is paid for working over full time hours. However, overtime enhancement will not feature on your contract of employment and can be withdrawn at any time as managers decision is final. Free meals are given if working over an 8 hour shift and are subject to terms and conditions. Discounts are accessed using our ‘Reward Me’ app. Flexible pay is available via ‘WAGESTREAM’.

What We’re Looking For:

We are seeking an experienced chef who understands the critical role that mealtimes play in the well-being of our residents. Ideal candidates will:

• Be highly communicative, hardworking, and possess strong leadership skills.
• Have significant experience in managing kitchens and delivering outstanding meals.
• Demonstrate expertise in menu planning, budget management, and nutrition.
• Hold relevant qualifications such as the City & Guilds Diploma in Professional Cookery (Levels 1 & 2) and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Have knowledge of EHO regulations and experience with IDDSI diets, texture-modified food, and dysphagia management (highly desirable)

Sandstone Care Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds. We embrace diversity within each service, as we think it is important that the Social Care Workforce represents the people it serves. We welcome applications from people from backgrounds including disabled candidates, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, LGBTQ+ as well as non-binary candidates, and those with experience of mental health.