Head Chef

Contract Options; Greater London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals on duty

Free on-site car parking

Job summary

Contract Options is seeking a Head Chef for a care home near Saffron Walden, Essex, to lead a kitchen serving up nutritious, home-cooked meals for up to 40 residents.

The role involves menu planning, cooking from scratch, maintaining high hygiene standards, stock control, and collaboration with the care team to tailor meals to individual needs. Hours are typically 8:30am–3:30pm, five days a week, with an additional Thursday slot.

Qualifications

• Professional kitchen experience.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Good understanding of food hygiene and dietary requirements.
• Experience in a care home, hotel or similar catering environment would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Plan exciting, varied menus catering to residents' tastes and dietary needs.
• Prepare and cook fresh, delicious meals from scratch daily.
• Ensure smooth kitchen operation with high food hygiene and safety standards.
• Manage food orders, stock control and minimise waste.
• Create a warm, positive kitchen environment with quality and care.
• Collaborate with care team to tailor meals to residents' needs.

Job description

HEAD CHEF – MAKE EVERY MEAL MATTER!

£35,000 – £40,000 per annum – Near Saffron Walden, Essex

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, talented head chef to take the lead in a friendly care home environment, serving up delicious, nutritious, home-cooked food for up to 40 residents. This is your opportunity to showcase your skills, put your own stamp on the menu and create meals that residents look forward to every day.

What will you be doing as HEAD CHEF?

• Planning exciting, varied menus that cater to residents' tastes, dietary needs and nutritional requirements.
• Preparing and cooking fresh, delicious meals from scratch every day.
• Taking responsibility for the smooth running of the kitchen, maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards.
• Managing food ordering, stock control and minimising waste.
• Creating a warm, positive kitchen environment where quality, consistency and care come first.
• Working closely with the care team to ensure residents receive meals that are both enjoyable and appropriate for their individual needs.

What are we looking for?

We want a HEAD CHEF who is passionate about food, takes pride in their work and understands that great hospitality is just as important in a retirement home as it is in any restaurant. You'll ideally have professional kitchen experience, excellent organisational skills, a good understanding of food hygiene and dietary requirements, and the confidence to take ownership of the kitchen. Experience in a care home, hotel or similar catering environment would be an advantage. Most importantly, you'll have a caring attitude, a positive approach and a genuine desire to make mealtimes special.

Benefits

• Free meals on duty.
• Free on-site car parking.

Additional Details

A permanent position offering stability and the opportunity to make the role your own.

A manageable setting, catering for up to 40 residents.

The chance to cook everything from scratch , using your culinary skills to produce fresh, appetising and varied meals.

A rewarding role where your food, care and attention help make a real difference to residents' daily lives.

Working hours that offer balance 5 days out of 7. Generally around 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. Thursdays: 10:00 am – 7:30 pm.