Head Chef

Perfect Recruitment Ltd.; Darwen; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Perfect Recruitment Ltd. is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a care home, providing nutritious, well-balanced meals for up to 80 residents.

This hands-on role combines daily food preparation, menu planning and kitchen management with a strong focus on quality and resident wellbeing. You will manage a small kitchen team, organise rotas, maintain high hygiene and safety standards, and cater for residents with special dietary requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in a head chef or kitchen leadership role.
• NVQ Level 2 in Catering is required.
• HACCP qualification preferred.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and safe food handling.
• Experience catering for special diets in a care home or healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and cook nutritious, well-balanced meals for residents.
• Create weekly menus and order ingredients.
• Lead and manage a small kitchen team and organise rotas.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene and safety.
• Cater for special dietary requirements and modified textures.
• Liaise with Home Manager and care staff to meet residents' needs.

Skills

Leadership

Food hygiene

Dietary requirements

Organisational skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Catering

Tools

HACCP qualification

Job description

Head Chef – Care Home

£15.68 per hour | 30–40 Hours Per Week | Full-Time, Permanent

We’re recruiting for an experienced Head Chef to lead the kitchen at a well-established nursing home, providing nutritious, well-balanced meals for up to 80 residents.

This is a hands-on role combining daily food preparation, menu planning and kitchen management, with a strong focus on quality, dietary requirements and resident wellbeing. You’ll manage a small kitchen team, ensuring meals are prepared to a high standard and kitchen operations run smoothly throughout the year.

The Role

• Plan, prepare and cook nutritious, well-balanced meals, providing three hot meals daily with two choices at each sitting.
• Create weekly menus and order ingredients and provisions accordingly.
• Ensure all meals are well-presented, appetising and consistently high in quality.
• Cater for residents with special dietary requirements, allergies and modified food consistencies.
• Lead and support a small kitchen team, including a cook and kitchen porters.
• Organise rotas and ensure adequate kitchen cover across seven days a week, 365 days a year.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health and safety, infection control and kitchen cleanliness.
• Manage stock, minimise waste and ensure safe food storage and preparation.
• Liaise with the Home Manager and work collaboratively with care staff to meet residents’ needs.
• Report any equipment faults, hazards, accidents or incidents promptly and follow all relevant policies and procedures.

About You

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Chef Manager or in a similar kitchen leadership role.
• NVQ Level 2 in Catering.
• HACCP qualification.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety and safe food handling.
• Experience catering for special diets and modified food consistencies, ideally within a care home or healthcare setting.
• Good organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage a small team and maintain consistent standards.
• A caring, professional approach with a genuine commitment to residents’ wellbeing.
• Flexible and reliable, with the ability to work a rota covering seven days a week.

Hours & Working Pattern

• 30–40 hours per week.
• Shifts between 7:30am and 5:30pm.
• Rota-based working across seven days a week, including weekends and bank holidays as required.

If you’re an organised, hands‑on chef who takes pride in producing quality food and making a positive difference to residents’ daily lives, we’d like to hear from you.