Head Chef

Austin Fraser; Oldham; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare company as a Head Chef at All Saints Hospital in Oldham, where you'll lead a kitchen team to create nutritious meals in a stress-reduced environment. Enjoy a five-day work week, a strong work-life balance, and the opportunity to cater for various events throughout the year. This role offers salary of £27,586 with numerous benefits including annual leave, free meals, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

33 days annual leave plus birthday off

Free meals and parking

Wellbeing support and activities

Career development and training opportunities

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Enhanced Maternity Package

Retail discounts and special offers

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar environment favored.
• Skills in managing kitchen operations and leading a team.
• Ability to meet dietary needs and manage catering services.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of catering team for efficient food production.
• Lead menu planning within budget, ensuring variety and quality.
• Provide meals according to company policies and dietary needs.

Skills

Menu planning

Costing

Ordering

Stock control

Budgeting

Education

GCSE or equivalent in English

Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC)

Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates

City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) in Basic Food Preparation and Cooking

Basic Food Hygiene certification

Intermediate Food Hygiene certification

Management or supervisory qualification

Job description

Ever imagined being a Head Chef and still having a social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef while maintaining a vibrant life outside of work.

This role offers a refreshing change from the typical culinary demands—no evenings, a five-day work week, and low stress levels.

You will lead an established kitchen team at All Saints Hospital in Oldham, overseeing large-scale meal preparations for staff and service users. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, providing guidance and training to support your team.

Throughout the year, you'll cater for activities, events, and special occasions such as World Food Day, Christmas, Easter, and Family Day—offering plenty of opportunities for creativity and variety.

Enjoy a calm and enjoyable working environment where you can manage your workload and create delicious meals. The role also offers a great social aspect, allowing regular interaction outside the kitchen.

You and your catering team will operate to hotel/restaurant standards, ensuring smooth operations, a clean kitchen, tasty menus, and satisfied 'customers'.

Imagine the satisfaction of a great job, returning home in time for dinner every night, and having two days off each week—an ideal work-life balance.

As a Head Chef, your responsibilities will include:

1. Managing the daily operations of the catering team for efficient food production
2. Meeting nutritional and dietary needs of service users
3. Providing meals for staff and visitors according to company policies
4. Leading menu planning within budget, ensuring variety and quality
5. Reporting maintenance and servicing needs of equipment and environment
6. Developing and standardizing seasonal menu items for high-quality, nutritious food
7. Handling complaints and incidents, assisting investigations, and resolving issues
8. Managing stock and equipment, reporting concerns
9. Planning staff rotas, managing agency and overtime coverage, and controlling absences within budgets
10. Participating in monthly audits to maintain standards

To succeed, you will have:

• GCSE or equivalent in English
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC), Health & Safety, and Food Hygiene Certificates
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) in Basic Food Preparation and Cooking
• Basic Food Hygiene certification (essential)
• Intermediate Food Hygiene certification (desirable)
• Experience in a similar environment
• Management or supervisory qualification
• Experience delivering mass catering services
• Skills in menu planning, costing, ordering, stock control, and budgeting

Location: Grange Avenue, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL8 4EF

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team at All Saints Hospital, supporting individuals who are deaf or have complex communication needs. This culturally sensitive service provides support and rehabilitation with input from both deaf and hearing staff.

All Saints Hospital is a specialist mental health facility with self-contained flats for men over 18, aiding their progression towards independent living.

Benefits include:

• Annual salary of £27,586
• 33 days of annual leave (including Bank Holidays) plus your birthday off
• Free meals and parking
• Wellbeing support and activities for work-life balance
• Career development and training opportunities
• Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Maternity Package

Additional benefits include retail discounts, special offers, and more.

About your employer:

You will join a reputable, stable company with over 8,000 employees, operating more than 90 services across England and Wales in areas like Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, and Children & Education. There are ample opportunities for growth and advancement.

Elysium Healthcare, part of Ramsay Health Care, has a global network across 10 countries employing over 86,000 people.

Elysium Healthcare is committed to safer recruitment, is a Disability Confident employer, and emphasizes safeguarding and welfare. All staff undergo DBS checks.