Head Chef

Bridge Oak; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridge Oak Care Homes in Huddersfield is seeking a permanent, full-time Chef/Cook (40 hours per week, with occasional evenings and weekends). The Head Chef will plan, prepare and cook meals that are appealing, nutritious and tailored to residents' dietary needs, following the Good Food Guide.

You'll lead the kitchen team, interview applicants, ensure HACCP, Health & Safety, COSHH and Environmental Health compliance, maintain cleaning schedules and stock rotation, and engage with residents to

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team with supervision and appraisals.
• Knowledge of HACCP, Health & Safety, COSHH, and EH guidelines.
• Ability to plan, prepare and cook nutritious meals to residents' needs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare and cook meals that are nutritious and meet dietary requirements.
• Follow Bridge Oak Care Homes Good Food Guide and obtain authorisation for amendments.
• Lead and support the Kitchen Team; interview and develop staff.
• Ensure HACCP, Health & Safety, COSHH, and Environmental Health compliance.
• Maintain cleaning schedules; keep kitchen areas immaculately clean.
• Order stock from approved suppliers and manage stock rotation.
• Oversee kitchen equipment; report faults and ensure safe operation.
• Participate in team meetings; assist Home Manager with staff recruitment and induction.
• Engage with residents and attend meetings; monitor satisfaction with catering.

Skills

Team leadership

Food safety HACCP

Health & Safety

Dietary planning

Meal planning

Job description

Job Description: Chef/Cook

Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time (40 hours per week, includes occasional evenings and weekends)

Salary: £15.69

Sponsorship: Not currently available

Join Bridge Oak Care Homes – Creating Communities Where Everyone Feels at Home

At Bridge Oak Care Homes, we believe care is about so much more than meeting everyday needs. It’s about creating warm, welcoming communities where every resident feels safe, valued and truly at home.

Our vision is to provide compassionate, person-centred care that celebrates individuality, promotes independence and enables people to live with dignity, comfort and purpose. Every member of our team plays an important part in making this vision a reality.

We’re looking for an enthusiastic and compassionate Chefto join the team at The Oakes, based in HuddersfieldIf you’re creative, organised and passionate about bringing people together, this is an opportunity to make a genuine difference every single day.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Head Chef,you’ll play a vital role in enriching the lives of residents by:

• To plan, prepare and cook a variety of meals which are appealing, nutritious and centres around residents’ preferences, requests or any special dietary requirements, to follow Bridge Oak Care Homes ’ Good Food Guide and, where appropriate, make amendments after authorisation from Head Office.
• To be active and encouraging, provide advice and guidance for the team ensuring that Bridge Oakis a friendly, supportive working environment.
• Responsible for the supervision and appraisals of the Kitchen Team.
• Interview applicants for vacancies within the Kitchen Team.
• To understand and comply with statutory and legal requirements such as HACCP, Health and Safety, COSHH, Environmental Health, ensuring a safe environment within the home.
• Implement, monitor and maintain cleaning schedules that meet the requirements of the Food Safety Manual, and ensure that all areas of the kitchen are immaculately clean. This will include the washing up of pots, pans and dishes when required.
• Ensure sufficient food stocks are ordered and received from approved suppliers and that stock rotation is taking place to maintain optimum freshness of all foodstuff ensuring the highest quality expected within Bridge Oak Care Homes.
• Responsible for all kitchen equipment ensuring it is in full, safe working order, reporting any damage or faults to the Handyman and Home Manager and following up any appropriate action.
• To be an active member of the Bridge Oakteam, contribute to team meetings, and assist the Home Manager with the selection, interviewing, induction and on-going development of catering staff.
• To be understanding towards residents and their needs and attend resident/relative meetings. Regularly monitor and assess resident’s satisfaction with the catering service provided in their home, and respond accordingly and positively to ideas and feedback.

Why Join Bridge Oak Care Homes?

When you join Bridge Oak Care Homes, you’ll become part of a supportive team that genuinely cares about one another and the people we support.

We offer:

• A friendly, welcoming and inclusive working environment.
• Ongoing learning, development and career progression opportunities.
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to residents’ lives every day.
• A workplace built on trust, compassion and respect.
• The chance to be part of a care provider that is deeply rooted in its local communities and committed to delivering exceptional person-centred care.

If you’re looking for a rewarding career where you can help create joyful experiences, build meaningful relationships and make every day matter, we’d love to hear from you.