Head Chef

Stow Healthcare Group; Great Horkesley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A national award-winning care provider is seeking a Head Chef to lead a kitchen team in preparing fresh meals for elderly residents. This full-time role requires a competent cook with professional kitchen experience and a passion for quality food. The position offers a supportive environment and emphasizes flexibility and caring attitudes. Join a company recognized for its outstanding care standards in an excellent setting.

Benefits

£600 joining bonus

Free DBS

Free staff meal

Real Living Wage Employer

Retail and food discounts

Pension scheme

28 days leave plus birthday off

Free uniform

Free WiFi

Qualifications

• Experience in a professional kitchen.
• Ability to adapt to dietary requirements.
• Passion for quality food and caregiving.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team including a deputy cook and kitchen assistants.
• Prepare meals for elderly residents.
• Manage stock control and complete rotas.
• Maintain the kitchen to SFBB standards.

Skills

Competent cook with experience of a professional kitchen

Adaptable to dietary requirements

Passionate about great quality food

Flexibility, patience, caring attitude

Proficient level of written and spoken English

Double-COVID vaccinated

Job description

Benefits of Working for Stow Healthcare

• £600 joining bonus (Ts & Cs apply)
• Free DBS (Ts & Cs apply)
• Free staff meal
• Real Living Wage Employer
• Retail and food discounts
• Working for the best care provider in the UK – award winner (LaingBuisson Awards 2024, Care Group of the Year 2023‑2021, National Care Awards 2023‑2022‑2021, Great British Care Award 2025 finalist)
• Top Care employer
• Nest pension scheme
• Contracted hours giving you security
• 28 days leave and your birthday off
• Refer a friend scheme
• Free Uniform
• Free Wifi

Our Head Chef Role

• Heading up a team including a deputy cook and kitchen assistants
• Preparing fresh, delicious meals for elderly residents
• Supporting residents to live fulfilling lives
• Manage stock control and complete rotas
• Maintain the kitchen to SFBB standards
• 40 hours per week – Full‑time contracted hours with no evening work, alternate weekends

Skills & Qualifications

• A competent cook with experience of a professional kitchen
• Adaptable to dietary requirements
• Passionate about great quality food and making a difference
• Flexibility, patience, caring attitude and a real "people person"
• A proficient level of written and spoken English
• Double‑COVID vaccinated (limited medical exemptions apply – note that from 11 November 2021 all staff working in care homes must meet this requirement)

About Us

A national award‑winning company based locally to you with nursing homes across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex, winning national awards for management, nursing and care. 100% of our homes are rated "Outstanding" or "Good" by the care regulators. We support elderly and frail residents with care homes of the highest standard.

About Horkesley Manor

An industry‑leading private nursing facility owned and operated by Stow Healthcare Group, delivering premium residential and nursing care in a stunning setting. Our values enable us to offer unrivalled service. Horkesley Manor is also the home of the Aspen Memory Centre, specialising in caring for people with memory challenges.