Head Chef

Hartford Care Ltd; Ramsgate; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartford Care Ltd seeks a Head Chef for Ramsgate Care Centre in Ramsgate, Kent. The role involves running the kitchen, leading a team, and delivering nutritious, home-made meals with strict hygiene. You will engage with residents to tailor menus and maintain a warm, caring kitchen environment.

We value compassionate leadership, clear communication, and strong planning. The role offers full-time hours at a care-focused organisation that prioritises quality meals and resident well-being.

Qualifications

• Compassionate and caring nature.
• Excellent communication and IT skills.
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Ability to prepare, cook and present home-made meals.
• Understanding of different diets and dietary requirements.
• Flexible approach to working hours.

Responsibilities

• Run and manage the kitchen service and team members.
• Provide home-cooked, nutritious meals and snacks for residents while upholding food hygiene standards.
• Lead with warmth and foster a caring kitchen atmosphere.
• Engage with residents on menu ideas and supervise kitchen staff as needed.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

IT systems

Organisation & planning

Food preparation

Dietary requirements understanding

Flexible hours

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Head Chef – Full-Time (40 Hours per Week. Includes alternate weekends)

Location: Ramsgate Care Centre, Ramsgate, Kent, CT11 7NP

Join the Hartford Care Family – Where Every Meal Makes a Difference

Do you love creating home-cooked meals that make people smile? Are you passionate about fresh, nutritious food and want to make a real difference every single day?

At Hartford Care, we’re more than a care provider — we’re a family. We believe in Creating Communities, Caring for Each Other, and Celebrating Individuality. As our Head Chef, you’ll bring warmth, creativity, and heart to every dish yeou prepare. Not only that you can bring your culinary skills to a role where you do not need to work late into the night.

The Role

As a Head Chef, you will effectively run and manage the kitchen service and team members, provide home-cooked, nutritious and appetising meals and snacks for residents while ensuring good food hygiene is maintained at all times and regulations, and working together as a team to create a happy and caring atmosphere.

• Do you want to make a difference to someone's life and feel a sense of purpose in an extremely rewarding role?
• Are you an experienced Head Chef who is energetic and passionate about providing exceptional food?
• Do you enjoy producing delicious, home-cooked foods that look and taste good?
• Do you have effective leadership, delegation and prioritising skills and experience of leading a kitchen?
• Are you caring, warm and understanding?
• Are you spontaneous, patient, flexible and have a good sense of humour?
• Do you strongly believe in the values of Creating Communities, Caring for Each Other and Celebrating Individuality?

Whether you are preparing and cooking a three course meal, discussing with residents what they would like to see on next week’s menu, doing a bread making activity session with residents, or carrying out a supervision with one of the kitchen team members, you will do so with care at the heart of everything you do.

If your answer is yes to all these questions, why not join our Hartford Care family?

Requirements

Essential:

• A compassionate and caring nature
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Excellent communication skills and ability to use IT systems
• Strong management and leadership skills
• Strong organisation and planning skills
• Ability to prepare, cook and present a variety of appetising and nutritious home-made meals
• An understanding of different diets and ability to cater for individuals with different dietary requirements
• A good understanding of ‘what good looks like’ in terms of the dining and food experience
• Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
• A flexible approach to working hours

This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.