Head Chef

Bridge Oak Care Homes; Pontefract; Remote; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Priory Gardens Care Home in Pontefract is seeking an experienced Chef/Cook to plan, prepare and serve nutritious meals for residents, working closely with the Home Manager to deliver high-quality catering that supports wellbeing.

You will lead the kitchen team, maintain hygiene standards, manage stock, and tailor menus to dietary needs, while fostering a friendly, resident-centred dining experience at Bridge Oak Care Homes.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Chef or Cook in a professional catering environment.
• Hold a Food Hygiene qualification or be willing to work towards one.
• Understand nutritional requirements and special diets.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Level 3 qualification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and cook a varied range of nutritious meals.
• Follow catering standards and Good Food Guide to ensure quality.
• Lead, supervise, and support the kitchen team.
• Supervise staff, conduct appraisals, assist recruitment and induction.
• Ensure compliance with food hygiene legislation, HACCP and safety standards.
• Maintain cleanliness across kitchen and dining areas and cleaning schedules.
• Manage food ordering, stock control, rotation, and deliveries.
• Monitor equipment and report faults to keep safe operations.

Skills

Culinary skills

Food Hygiene knowledge

Teamwork

Organisational skills

Customer service

Care for residents

Education

Level 3 catering qualification

Food Hygiene qualification

Job description

Chef/Cook

Location: Priory Gardens Care Home, Pontefract, West Yorkshire
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time (35 hours per week, including occasional evenings and weekends)
Sponsorship: Not currently available

Join Priory Gardens Care Home, Pontefract

At Priory Gardens Care Home, part of the Bridge Oak Care Homes family, we understand that great food plays an essential role in creating a happy and fulfilling home environment. Our dedicated team is committed to delivering outstanding person-centred care, and we believe every meal should be an enjoyable experience that brings comfort, enjoyment, and a sense of community to our residents.

Located in the heart of Pontefract, Priory Gardens provides high-quality residential care in a warm, welcoming, and supportive setting where residents are encouraged to live life to the fullest. We are currently seeking an experienced and passionate Chef/Cook to join our team and take pride in delivering nutritious, freshly prepared meals that our residents look forward to every day.

The Role

As Chef/Cook, you will be responsible for planning, preparing, and serving delicious meals that meet the nutritional needs, preferences, and dietary requirements of our residents. Working closely with the Home Manager and wider care team, you will help create a positive dining experience that contributes to residents' overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and cook a varied range of nutritious and appetising meals in line with residents' individual preferences and dietary requirements.
• Follow Bridge Oak Care Homes' catering standards and Good Food Guide to ensure consistently high-quality meal provision.
• Lead, supervise, and support the kitchen team, creating a positive and collaborative working environment.
• Conduct staff supervision, appraisals, and contribute to the recruitment and induction of new catering team members.
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene legislation, HACCP procedures, COSHH regulations, Health & Safety standards, and Environmental Health requirements.
• Maintain excellent cleanliness standards throughout the kitchen and dining areas, implementing and monitoring robust cleaning schedules.
• Manage food ordering, stock control, stock rotation, and supplier deliveries to ensure quality, freshness, and value for money.
• Monitor and maintain kitchen equipment, reporting faults promptly and ensuring all equipment remains safe and fully operational.
• Engage with residents and their families to gather feedback, understand preferences, and continually improve the dining experience.
• Attend team meetings and contribute positively to the ongoing development of the home's catering service.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will:

• Have previous experience as a Chef or Cook within a professional catering environment.
• Hold a Food Hygiene qualification or be willing to work towards one.
• Have a good understanding of nutritional requirements and special diets.
• Possess strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Be passionate about providing excellent food and customer service.
• Enjoy working as part of a team and supporting others to achieve high standards.
• Have a caring, patient, and compassionate approach, understanding the important role food plays in residents' wellbeing.
• Level 3 qualification preferred

Why Join Bridge Oak Care Homes?

At Priory Gardens, you'll become part of a friendly and supportive team that is passionate about making a real difference in the lives of older people.

We offer:

• A welcoming and inclusive workplace.
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training opportunities.
• Career development and progression within a growing care organisation.
• A supportive management team that values your contribution.
• The opportunity to make a genuine difference to residents every day.
• A rewarding role within a care home that is proud of its strong community links in Pontefract and the surrounding areas.