Head Chef

Kingsley Healthcare Group; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive induction and training

Career development

Employee Assistance Programme

Blue Light Card

Loyalty bonus

Refer a friend

DBS disclosure paid

Uniform provided

Bank holiday pay

Paid breaks

Job summary

Kingsley Healthcare Group is seeking a Head Chef for Sharston House Nursing Home in Knutsford. You will deliver nutritious meals, lead kitchen staff, plan menus and ensure health and safety compliance.

The role offers days shifts, permanent employment, and an indicative rate of £16.50 per hour. NVQ Level 3 in Catering is desirable; you will train staff and maintain a welcoming dining atmosphere for residents.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and procedures.
• Ability to train and supervise kitchen staff.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Manage kitchen staff and schedules.
• Oversee food preparation and menu planning.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Train and develop kitchen staff.
• Support dietary needs of residents.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Leadership & team management

Nutrition knowledge

Food safety regulations

Communication skills

Dietary accommodations

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.

• Sharston House Nursing Home, Knutsford, Cheshire
• Pay:: £16.50 per hour
• Type: Permanent
• Shift: Days

Benefits

• Comprehensive induction and training programme.
• Opportunities for career development and progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Blue Light Card Scheme. We’ll reimburse the enrolment fee of this fantastic scheme that offers discounts on holidays, days out and over 15,000 national brands.
• Loyalty Bonus: Accrue up to 5 additional holiday days depending on length of service.
• Refer a friend and receive a thank you gift of up to £500 *
• We’ll pay for your full DBS disclosure
• Your uniform will be provided – this is another cost that we think it’s essential that we cover for you.
• Enhanced rates of pay for bank holidays
• Paid breaks – we think it’s essential that all staff can take breaks without fear of losing money, so we pay for you to have a break during working hours.

Location

This grand 19th-century home offers nursing, residential and dementia care in the heart of Knutsford. Sharston House has been lovingly decorated to complement its period features and residents love the elegance and space. The well‑tended garden is immensely popular.

Manor Park South, Knutsford WA16 8AQ

Your right to work in the UK

In accordance with the Asylum and immigration Act 2006 you will need to demonstrate your eligibility for employment in the United Kingdom.