Head Chef

Stow Healthcare Group; Long Melford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in Long Melford seeks a Head Chef to lead a kitchen team in providing high-quality meals for elderly residents. This full-time role involves managing kitchen operations, maintaining standards, and ensuring dietary needs are met. Ideal candidates will have kitchen experience, a passion for food, and the ability to work flexibly. Benefits include a joining bonus, free staff meals, and a secure contract offering 40 hours per week with no evening work.

Benefits

£600 joining bonus

Free DBS check

Free staff meal

Retail and food discounts

28 days leave plus birthday off

Nest pension scheme

Refer a friend scheme

Free Uniform

Free Wifi

Qualifications

• Competent cook with experience in a professional kitchen.
• Ability to adapt meals to dietary requirements.
• Passionate about making a difference in food quality.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Professional kitchen experience

Adaptability to dietary requirements

Passion for quality food

Flexibility and patience

People-oriented attitude

Proficient English communication

Job description

Benefits of Working for Stow Healthcare

• £600 joining bonus (Ts & Cs apply)
• Free DBS check (Ts & Cs apply)
• Free staff meal
• Real Living Wage Employer
• Retail and food discounts
• Working for the best care provider in the UK.
• Winner of the Excellence in Small Residential Care Award – LaingBuission Awards 2024, Care Group of the Year Winner – National Care Awards 2023, 2022 & 2021.
• Care Employer of the Year – National Finalist at the Great British Care Award 2025.
• 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
• Available to work alternate weekends

Skills You'll Need

• 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

About Us

A national award-winning company, based locally to you with nursing homes across Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. Winners of national awards for management, nursing and care. 100% of our homes are rated ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ by the care regulators. Supporting elderly and frail residents.

About Melford Court

In industry leading private nursing facility. Melford Court is a high-quality care home, owned and operated by the Stow Healthcare Group. We pride ourselves on providing premium residential and nursing care in a stunning Grade II Listed house. Our values and desire for excellence enable us to offer a service that is unrivaled.