Head Chef

Bupa; Evesham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known health insurer is seeking an experienced Head Chef in Evesham to lead a passionate kitchen team. This role involves providing high-quality meals and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, while managing food supplies efficiently. Ideal candidates will have significant kitchen management experience and relevant qualifications. This position offers a permanent contract with a salary starting from £40,951, along with a £1,000 welcome bonus and diverse benefits.

Benefits

Quick access to health support

Annual healthcare product allowance

Free meal with every shift

28 days holiday

Long Service rewards

Interest-free travel loan

Early wage access through Wagestream

Competitive pension plans

Sick pay scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in managing diverse teams within a professional kitchen environment.
• Ability to accommodate various dietary needs for customers.
• Structured and creative work ethic to set standards in dining experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality and nourishing meals to residents.
• Lead and advise kitchen staff on menu and food preparation.
• Ensure a welcoming and safe dining environment.
• Manage food supplies including budgeting and storage.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-site kitchen management

Culinary techniques

Health and safety protocols

Customer dietary needs accommodation

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent City & Guilds qualification

Job description

At Bupa, we provide support when it's needed most, and our Richmond Villages Wood Norton offer luxury retirement living, an aspirational lifestyle for our residents, and our top‑tier accommodation is matched by superior service. We provide person‑centred care that supports independence and respects individual choice, enabling our residents to lead their best lives. As Head Chef at Richmond Village Wood Norton, you'll be at the heart of our culinary experience, leading a passionate catering team to deliver high‑quality, nutritious, and beautifully presented meals. From our elegant restaurant and care home to serviced suites, apartments, spa dining, and special events, you'll ensure every dish reflects our commitment to excellence and enhances the daily lives of our residents.

Responsibilities

• Provide high quality and nourishing meals to residents across the Village, including the care home, catering for serviced suites, villagers who have booked a meal in the Restaurant/Spa or for a meal to be taken across to their apartments or for other specific events.
• Have multi‑site/multi‑outlet experience (advantage).
• Lead and advise kitchen staff on menu and food preparation.
• Take responsibility for all food supplies in the kitchen, including budgeting, ordering, checking, storage, preparation and disposal of waste food.
• Ensure a welcoming, safe and compliant environment for residents to dine.
• Work collaboratively with other department heads and function organisers for special events.
• Consistently deliver a high standard of food and service while working to a fixed budget.

Qualifications & Experience

As a culinary enthusiast, you will bring extensive experience in managing diverse teams within a professional kitchen environment, with a special focus on accommodating customers' dietary needs. Your leadership skills should inspire and guide your team, imparting your expertise in sophisticated cooking techniques, practices and health and safety protocols, preferably backed by an NVQ Level 3 or an equivalent City & Guilds qualification. Through your structured and creative work ethic, you will set the standard, ensuring the delivery of an exceptional dining experience at every meal.

We are a health insurer and provider. With no shareholders, our customers are our focus. Our people are all driven by the same purpose – helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We make health happen by being brave, caring and responsible in everything we do.

We encourage all of our people to "Be you at Bupa", we champion diversity, and we understand the importance of our people representing the communities and customers we serve. That's why we especially encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Bupa is a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer. This means we aim to offer an interview/assessment to every disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria for the role. We'll make sure you are treated fairly and offer reasonable adjustments as part of our recruitment process to anyone that needs them.

Remuneration & Contract

Salary range: From £40,951 per annum.

Contract: Permanent. Shift pattern: Full time, 48 hours per week across 4 days on shifts between 07:00-20:00, including some weekends. No split shifts – great work‑life balance.

Welcome Bonus: £1,000.

Benefits

• My Healthcare – Quick, easy access to support, advice and treatment for a variety of health‑related issues, including remote GP, physiotherapy and mental health support – all available from one phone number 24/7.
• Annual allowance to redeem against a range of Bupa healthcare products (approx. £350).
• Free meal with every shift.
• 28 days holiday.
• Long Service rewards: ecards, extra holidays and money for every milestone at Bupa.
• Interest‑free annual travel loan to cover public transport season tickets.
• Wagestream – early access to up to 40% of earned wages.
• Competitive pension plans and parental leave options, and access to unique products such as our Menopause plan.
• My Bupa Extras – discounts at favourite retailers and a range of wellbeing tools.
• Sick pay scheme – additional protection beyond statutory sick pay.