Head Chef

Advinia Health Care; Louth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in Louth is seeking a Head Chef/Kitchen Manager to oversee an established kitchen team. The role offers a balanced work-life schedule with evenings free and responsibilities including menu planning, stock management, and team training. Competitive hourly rate of £13 and various perks are included. Join us for a fulfilling culinary leadership experience.

Benefits

5.6 weeks annual leave

Free parking

Wellbeing support

Career development training

Pension contribution

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering a service en masse.
• Management or supervisory qualifications.
• Previous experience in a similar environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the catering team for efficient food production.
• Ensure dietary needs of residents are met.
• Lead the production of a varied menu plan.

Skills

Menu planning

Stock control

Budget management

Leadership

Food hygiene

Education

Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC)

GCSE or equivalent English

City & Guilds 706/1 and 2

Job description

Have you ever imagined being a Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager and still having a great social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager while maintaining a great life outside of work. This role offers a refreshing change from the typical catering hours – finishing at 5:30 pm, giving your evenings free, a five‑day work week and keeping the stress levels low.

You will be leading an established kitchen team overseeing the preparation of large‑scale meals for the staff, residents and visitors. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, as you provide guidance and training to support your team. There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year such as world food day, Christmas, Easter, family days, four weekly themed events and resident choice days. In other words, plenty of chances to be creative and make a difference. It’s a calm and pleasurable working environment where you’ll manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. There’s a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly. You and your catering team will run the kitchen to a great standard, ensuring a smooth operation with a clean kitchen. Just imagine great job satisfaction, home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week. Now that’s a recipe for a great work‑life combination.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day‑to‑day management of the catering team to run an efficient food production service.
• Ensure that the catering service meets the nutritional and dietary needs of the service users.
• Ensure the catering service provides meals to residents, staff and visitors in accordance with the company policies and procedures.
• Take the lead in the production of a menu plan, providing a varied diet within budgetary restraints.
• Ensure that any maintenance and servicing of catering equipment or the environment is reported to the Maintenance Manager.
• Seek feedback – resident surveys.
• Respond to any reported complaints or incidents, assist with investigation and refer any unresolved complaints.
• Be responsible for stock management (four weeks) and equipment in the production areas, reporting issues or concerns.
• Manage efficient staff rotas, plan agency and overtime cover and ensure absences are covered within agreed budgets.
• Assist in the completion of monthly audits of the catering provision to ensure standards are maintained.
• Attend regular meetings with other Head Chefs/Kitchen Managers, Hospitality Development Manager.
• Involve with menu creation, and implement on your site.
• Take part in the Chef of the Year Competition.

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent English
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and Health & Safety and Food Hygiene certificates
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) basic food preparation cooking
• Basic food hygiene (essential)
• Intermediate food hygiene (desirable)
• Previous experience in a similar environment
• Management/supervisory qualification
• Previous experience in delivering a service en masse
• Menu planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget experience

Where you will be working

Location: Madeira Care Home. You will work alongside the multidisciplinary service to promote a great food service.

In return we can offer

• Hourly rate of £13 per hour
• 5.6 weeks annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays pro‑rata per hours worked
• Free parking
• Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a great work‑life balance.
• Career development and training to help you achieve your career goals.
• Pension contribution to secure your future (optional).

There is also a range of other benefits including retail discounts, special offers and much more.

About your next employer

You will be working for an established, agile company with over 2,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 36 services across England and Scotland.

It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of residents.