Head Chef

The Methodist Church in Britain; London Borough of Redbridge; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave including bankhol

Option to buy additional annual leave

Pension contribution

Life assurance

Enhanced maternity package

Free meals and onsite parking

Career development and training

24/7 GP service

Job summary

Elysium Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead the catering team at Lakefield Neurological Centre. You will oversee large-scale meal production for staff and service users, plan menus, manage stock, and coordinate rotas and monthly audits.

The role requires catering qualifications, health and safety credentials, DBS clearance, and experience delivering mass catering in a similar environment. There are regular events and official functions throughout the year.

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in English.
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds or BTEC).
• Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates.
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) Basic Food Preparation Cooking.
• Basic Food Hygiene.
• Management or supervisory qualification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day management of the catering team to run efficient food production.
• Ensure catering meets the nutritional and dietary needs of service users.
• Ensure meals for staff and company visitors follow company policies and procedures.
• Lead the production of a varied menu plan within budget.
• Develop and standardise seasonal menu items, seeking feedback to maintain nutritious, high-quality food.
• Respond to complaints and incidents, assist with investigations and refer unresolved complaints.
• Manage stock and equipment in production areas, reporting issues.
• Manage staff rotas, plan agency and overtime cover, and cover absences within budget.
• Assist with monthly audits of the catering provision to maintain standards.
• Report maintenance and servicing needs for catering equipment and the environment to the Facilities Manager.
• Provide guidance and training to support the catering team.
• Cater for regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year

Skills

Mass catering experience

Menu planning

Budget management

Staff supervision

Stock control

Education

GCSE English

Catering Diploma

Health & Safety Certificate

Food Hygiene Certificate

City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 Basic Food Preparation Cooking

Basic Food Hygiene

Management or supervisory qualification

Job description

Head Chef post leading the catering team at Lakefield Neurological Centre, a 22-bed neuro-rehabilitation service run by Elysium Healthcare. The work centres on producing large-scale meals for staff and service users, with menu planning, stock control, rotas and monthly audits. Set apart by a five-day week with no evenings and two days off, plus cooking for regular events and special occasions across the year. Candidates need food hygiene and catering qualifications, cooking-at-scale experience and a DBS check.

What the job involves

• Coordinate the day-to-day management of the catering team to run efficient food production
• Ensure catering meets the nutritional and dietary needs of service users
• Ensure meals for staff and company visitors follow company policies and procedures
• Lead the production of a varied menu plan within budget
• Develop and standardise seasonal menu items, seeking feedback to maintain nutritious, high-quality food
• Respond to complaints and incidents, assist with investigations and refer unresolved complaints
• Manage stock and equipment in production areas, reporting issues
• Manage staff rotas, plan agency and overtime cover, and cover absences within budget
• Assist with monthly audits of the catering provision to maintain standards
• Report maintenance and servicing needs for catering equipment and the environment to the Facilities Manager
• Provide guidance and training to support the catering team
• Cater for regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year

What’s required

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in English
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds or BTEC)
• Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) Basic Food Preparation Cooking
• Basic Food Hygiene
• Management or supervisory qualification

Experience

• Previous experience in a similar environment
• Previous experience delivering a service on mass
• Menu planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget management

Checks & eligibility

• DBS disclosure

Nice to have

• Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate

What’s offered

• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays, plus birthday off
• Option to buy additional annual leave
• Pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Enhanced maternity package
• Free meals and onsite parking
• Career development and training
• 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion