Head Chef

Kingsley Home Care Services; East Suffolk; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-run care home provider in East Suffolk is seeking a Head Chef to ensure the delivery of nutritious meals while maintaining culinary excellence. The successful candidate will manage kitchen staff, oversee food preparation, and comply with health regulations. Strong leadership and culinary skills are essential, as is a commitment to creating a positive dining experience for residents. Opportunities for professional development are also provided.

Benefits

Opportunities for professional development

Responsibilities

• Manage kitchen staff and oversee food preparation.
• Plan menus and ensure compliance with health regulations.
• Create a positive dining atmosphere for residents.
• Train staff and maintain kitchen organization.

Skills

Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef

Culinary degree or relevant certification

Knowledge of nutrition and dietary needs

Strong leadership and team management skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ability to work collaboratively

Time management skills

Knowledge of health and safety regulations

Ability to train and supervise staff

Willingness to work flexible hours

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Catering or equivalent

Job description

About the company

At Kingsley Healthcare, we are more than just a care home group - we are a proud, family-run business driven by a passion to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives every single day. Our dedicated teams transform care into a calling, delivering excellence with compassion, integrity, and respect.

As the UK’s only large care home provider to achieve B Corp certification, we continue to lead the sector in responsible, values-driven care. In 2024 and again in 2025, we were honoured to be named Health Investor’s Residential Elderly Large Care Provider of the Year, a testament to our commitment to quality and innovation.

For eight consecutive years, we’ve been recognised among the Top 20 Large UK Care Home Groups by carehome.co.uk, reflecting consistently high standards and resident satisfaction. We are also proud to be a Real Living Wage employer, ensuring that the dedication of our team members is valued and fairly rewarded.

Our commitment to people-first values has earned us outstanding workplace recognition, including a 4.7 rating on Glassdoor, a 4.5 rating on Indeed, and the No.1 ranking in the UK for wellbeing at work (Indeed’s Better Work Awards 2023).

If you're passionate about delivering exceptional care and want to be part of a forward-thinking organisation that puts both its residents and people at the heart of everything it does, we’d love to hear from you.

About the role

As a Head Chef, you will play a crucial role in providing nutritious and well-balanced meals for residents while ensuring a high standard of culinary excellence. You will be responsible for managing the kitchen staff, overseeing food preparation, menu planning, and maintaining compliance with relevant health and safety regulations. In addition to cultivating a positive dining atmosphere for residents and catering to their special dietary requirements, this role encompasses crucial responsibilities. You will play a pivotal role in staff training, ensuring a commitment to health and safety standards, and upholding a pristine and well‑organised kitchen environment.

Reports to: Home Manager

Skills and attributes

• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Executive Chef in a similar setting.
• Culinary degree or relevant certification.
• Knowledge of nutrition, dietary needs, and food safety regulations.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other departments within the care home.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively and work efficiently under pressure.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and procedures.
• Ability to train and supervise kitchen staff.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

Education and qualification

NVQ Level 3 in Catering or equivalent qualification, desirable.

What will you gain?

You will have the satisfaction of working with, and being supported by, an enthusiastic and caring team that puts people at the heart of the business. We know the happiness of our staff improves the service we give our residents. You will have plenty of opportunities to learn and develop your skills, and we have the procedures and processes to help you at every step.