Head Chef

Avery Healthcare Group; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Avery Healthcare Group in Milton Keynes is seeking a Head Chef to lead a culinary team at Milton Court Care Home. You will deliver nutritionally balanced, high-quality meals for residents while managing resources and staying within budget.

The role requires a catering qualification, a passion for quality dining in care settings, and the ability to supervise staff and ensure food safety. DBS check and UK work eligibility apply.

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience managing a culinary team in care or hospitality.
• Knowledge of IDDSI guidelines and diet modification.
• Ability to manage budgets and cost controls.

Responsibilities

• Prepare nutritionally balanced meals within budget.
• Place orders with approved suppliers and monitor stock.
• Supervise kitchen and Host team; train staff as needed.
• Follow food safety and manual handling procedures.

Skills

Culinary team leadership

Budget management

Nutritionally balanced meals

IDDSI diet knowledge

Education

Catering qualification – City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or NVQ

Job description

Package Description:

At Avery Healthcare, we are all about supporting the people who care for our residents. We know how hard our teams work, and we’re here to celebrate and support you every step of the way.

When you join us, you’ll be making a positive impact on residents’ lives every day – your compassion and dedication truly make a difference. We’re committed to helping you grow in a caring, supportive environment, with opportunities to learn and develop throughout your career. And as part of our close-knit team, you’ll experience a culture that values respect, compassion, and a shared commitment to exceptional care.

We’re now looking for a warm, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual to join our award-winning team as a Head Chef at Milton Court Care Home in Milton Keynes.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Your focus as a Head Chef will be to manage and lead a culinary team that provides nutritionally balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality culinary service that contributes to the overall well-being of the residents and is achieved within budget.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Preparing modified diets that look appealing and are well-balanced and in accordance with IDDSI guidance.
• Placing food orders, subject to appropriate levels of authority, with approved suppliers, complying with procedures to maintain appropriate stock levels and control, ensuring good quality provisions are purchased within agreed budget limits.
• Supervising and directing the work of other kitchen staff and the Host team, instructing and demonstrating simple food preparation activities to unqualified staff.
• Practicing safe systems of work across the range of tasks and moving and handling loads by assessing risk and having due regard for the personal safety of residents, visitors, and staff.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in your application, you must live our values of caring, support, honesty, respect, and accountability in all that you do.

Our ideal candidate must:

• Two years’ experience managing a culinary team in the care or hospitality sectors.
• Hold a relevant catering qualification – City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ.
• Demonstrate passion and commitment to the delivery of high-quality culinary standards to residents.
• Demonstrate an ability to control a budget.

ABOUT AVERY

At Avery, we’re not just one of the UK’s largest providers of luxury elderly care homes – we’re a place where people love to work. We believe that the later years of life should be as enriching as any other, and we’re passionate about creating meaningful experiences for our residents and our team alike. With our vision of "creating meaningful lives together," we proudly offer exceptional care across our growing network of over 100 homes, building a supportive and inspiring environment where employees feel valued and empowered every day. Join us and see why Avery is the preferred choice for residents and team members alike.

Please note this role will require:

• A DBS Disclosure check, the cost of which will be met by Avery Healthcare.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

This advert may be withdrawn prior to the advertised deadline depending on the volume of applications received and business needs.