Head Chef

Quantum Care; Royston; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekend & BH premium pay

In-house training

Pension scheme

DBS check and uniform

Retail discounts

Job summary

Quantum Care is recruiting a Head Chef for Melwood Grange Care Home in Royston. You will lead the kitchen team to deliver high quality, nutritious meals for residents in a modern 73-bed facility.

The role is full time (37 hours per week) with a salary of £41,326 per annum. Shift patterns include 8am/8:30am to 5pm/5:30pm on weekdays and alternate weekends, with enhanced pay on weekends and bank holidays.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Chef or in a comparable culinary leadership role.
• Strong culinary expertise with a passion for nutritious meals.
• Excellent leadership skills with a track record of managing and motivating teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food safety regulations and best kitchen practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments to support resident care.

Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation: Create homely, well-balanced meals tailored to a variety of dietary needs and preferences.
• Team Scheduling: Plan staff rotas to ensure smooth kitchen operations and arrange cover for absences using existing and casual staff.
• Catering Operations: Oversee all aspects of the catering service, ensuring it is safe, cost-effective, and of high quality.
• Training Compliance: Ensure all kitchen staff complete required statutory training.
• Stock Management: Conduct regular stock takes and maintain inventory at agreed minimum levels.
• Customer Engagement: Communicate regularly with residents and staff to gather feedback and foster a welcoming dining experience.

Skills

Chef leadership

Food safety knowledge

Team management

Catering operations

Dietary requirements

Staff scheduling

Education

NVQ Intermediate Food Hygiene/Safety

Job description

Head Chef

Contract: Full Time- Perm

Hour: 37 hours per week

Pay: £41,326 per annum

Shift Times: 8am/8.30am to 5pm/5.30pm - Weekdays & Alternate Weekends

Location: Desbrow Lane, Royston, SG8 7FR

Quantum Care is a noforprofit organisation supporting over 2,000 older people across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Essex. Our mission is simple: to help our residents live well, with dignity, comfort and joy. To do that, we need people who care as much as we do and Make Every Day Matter.

We are seeking a Head Chef to join our welcoming team at Melwood Grange Care Home in Royston. A luxury, 73 bed purpose-built care home set in the Hertfordshire countryside, Melwood Grange offers exceptional care in stylish surroundings, with premium facilities including a cinema, café, hair and beauty salon, and beautifully landscaped gardens. If you're passionate about good food and want your work to genuinely make a difference, this could be the perfect role for you.

As a Head Chef, you will lead with Catering team to create and deliver high end quality and nutritional meals. The modern facility has been thoughtfully designed to provide an excellent working environment and will include a newly fitted, fully equipped commercial kitchen.

What You'll Bring

• Proven experience as a Chef or in a comparable culinary leadership role.
• Strong culinary expertise with a passion for preparing nutritious meals.
• Excellent leadership skills with a track record of managing and motivating teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of food safety regulations and best kitchen practises.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments to support resident care.
• The holder of aC&G 706/01, 706/02 or NVQ equivalent Intermediate Food Hygiene/ Safety certificate.

• Well organised.
• Sensitive to the needs of older people.

Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Meal Preparation:Create homely, well-balanced meals tailored to a variety of dietary needs and preferences.

• Team Scheduling:Plan staff rotas to ensure smooth kitchen operations and arrange cover for absences using existing and casual staff.

• Catering Operations:Oversee all aspects of the catering service, ensuring it is safe, cost-effective, and of high quality.

• Training Compliance:Ensure all kitchen staff complete required statutory training.

• Stock Management:Conduct regular stock takes and maintain inventory at agreed minimum levels.

• Customer Engagement:Communicate regularly with residents and staff to gather feedback and foster a welcoming dining experience.

Why Join Quantum Care?

We value our teams and invest in their wellbeing, growth and success. In return for your dedication, you'll receive:

• Competitive salary with enhanced pay on weekends and Bank Holidays
• Clear career development pathways and recognition of milestones
• Firstclass inhouse training from day one
• Free Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 support
• Company pension scheme (after 1 year of service)
• Free DBS check and uniform
• Access to retail discounts and exclusive offers
• A supportive, valuesdriven workplace where your contribution truly matters

Terms and Conditions apply to all benefits

This is a fantastic opportun