Head Chef

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

Job summary

Avery Healthcare Group is seeking a Head Chef for Milton Court Care Home in Milton Keynes to lead a culinary team delivering nutritionally balanced, high-quality meals within budget and with resident wellbeing at the centre. You will prepare modified diets under IDDSI guidelines, place approved orders, supervise kitchen and Host staff, and uphold safe systems of work.

A DBS check and right to work in the UK are required.

Qualifications

• Two years' experience managing a culinary team in care or hospitality.
• Relevant catering qualification (City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ).
• Demonstrates passion and commitment to high-quality culinary standards for residents.
• Ability to manage budgets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare modified diets that look appealing and balanced per IDDSI.
• Place food orders with approved suppliers within budget and stock controls.
• Supervise kitchen staff and the Host team, guiding unqualified staff.
• Maintain safe working practices and assess risks to residents, visitors and staff.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget control

Food safety

Diet modification (IDDSI)

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ catering qualification

Job description

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.

Required:

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This advert may be withdrawn prior to the advertised deadline depending on the volume of applications received and business needs.

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

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.

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.

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 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.