Head Chef

Platinum Recruitment Consultancy; Penenden Heath; On-site; GBP 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Head Chef in Maidstone to lead a stable kitchen team and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals in a supportive care environment. This role offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including free meals and enhanced holiday pay. Ideal candidates have strong leadership skills and a background in delivering quality service within a kitchen. Apply to combine creativity and stability in your culinary career.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Free meal per shift

Enhanced Bank Holiday pay

Increased annual leave with long service

Cycle to Work scheme

Extra day off for milestone birthdays

Company sick pay

Refer a Friend scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering a high-quality service in a care environment.
• Strong knowledge of dietary requirements (IDDSI).
• Background operating as a Chef Manager or senior Chef within a structured kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating, and developing a kitchen team to deliver high standards.
• Overseeing food quality, presentation, and compliance with food safety regulations.
• Planning menus that meet therapeutic and dietary requirements.
• Managing recruitment, induction, and training within the kitchen team.
• Ensuring smooth day-to-day kitchen operations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Food safety regulations

Menu planning

Team training and induction

Job description

Head Chef - Maidstone

Salary: £43,000 (DOE) plus excellent benefits

Lead a stable kitchen team, enjoy real work-life balance, and make a genuine impact as a Head Chef in a supportive care environment.

About the Role

We're recruiting an experienced Head Chef for a well-established care setting in Maidstone. This is a rewarding opportunity to lead a kitchen team, deliver high-quality, nutritious meals, and create a positive dining experience for residents, all while benefiting from strong company support and long-term career stability in Maidstone.

Benefits

• A competitive salary of £43,000 per annum (DOE)
• One free meal per shift
• Enhanced Bank Holiday pay
• Increased annual leave with long service
• Cycle to Work scheme to support your health and commute
• An extra day off for milestone birthdays
• Company sick pay above statutory entitlement (subject to service)
• Refer a Friend scheme for permanent roles (T&Cs apply)

Key Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating, and developing a kitchen team to deliver consistently high standards
• Overseeing food quality, presentation, and compliance with food safety regulations
• Planning menus that meet therapeutic and dietary requirements
• Managing recruitment, induction, and training within the kitchen team
• Ensuring smooth day-to-day kitchen operations and effective communication

Qualifications

• Impeccable leadership, management and communication skills
• Proven experience delivering a high-quality service in a care environment
• Strong knowledge of dietary requirements (IDDSI)
• Experience recruiting, inducting, and training your own team
• Background operating as a Chef Manager or senior Chef within a structured kitchen

If you're looking for your next step as a Head Chef in Maidstone, this is a fantastic opportunity to combine leadership, creativity, and stability in a rewarding setting. Apply now and take the next step in your career.

Role: Head Chef

Location: Maidstone

Platinum Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.