Head Chef

Retirement Villages; Saffron Walden; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Free meals while on shift

Learning and development opportunities

Wellbeing and recognition initiatives

Supportive and collaborative working环境

Job summary

Retirement Villages is seeking a Head Chef to lead Debden Grange's kitchen in Saffron Walden. You will own the culinary offering, develop seasonal menus, and deliver high-quality dining for residents, families and guests, while managing a kitchen team and day-to-day operations.

This 37.5-hour week across five days, with Fridays and Saturdays typically off, offers leadership development, budget control and a vibrant, community-focused dining experience.

Qualifications

• Level 3 Professional Cookery qualification or equivalent.
• Experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef ready to step up.
• Strong culinary skills and passion for high-quality food.
• Experience leading and developing a kitchen team.
• Experience managing food costs, budgets and stock.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Understanding of dietary requirements.
• Willingness to undergo enhanced DBS check.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen operations and manage day-to-day activities.
• Develop seasonal menus and daily specials to keep dining engaging.
• Coordinate catering for events and community functions.
• Maintain accurate dish information within procurement/EPoS systems.
• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team.
• Drive food margins while maintaining resident experience.
• Ensure food hygiene and safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Dietary requirements understanding

Budget and cost control

Kitchen team development

Food quality focus

Education

Level 3 Professional Cookery

Tools

Procurement systems

Job description

We're looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Debden Grange, our beautiful retirement village in Saffron Walden. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced chef to take ownership of the culinary offering within a vibrant community. You'll lead the kitchen team, create exciting seasonal menus and deliver high-quality dining experiences for residents, their families and visitors. This is a 37.5-hour per week role, across 5 days out of 7. While flexibility is required to meet the needs of the business, the role will typically include Friday and Saturday as days off.

Menu Development & Culinary Leadership

• Create seasonal, nutritious and flavourful menus that appeal to a diverse range of tastes and dietary requirements
• Champion fresh, high-quality and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible
• Develop exciting daily menus and specials that keep the dining experience fresh and engaging
• Lead on catering for special events, functions and hospitality across the village
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date dish information within procurement and EPoS systems

Kitchen Operations & Commercial Management

• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the kitchen
• Lead, motivate and develop the kitchen team
• Manage rotas, staffing and performance
• Control food costs, stock levels and wastage
• Complete regular stocktakes and manage kitchen budgets effectively
• Drive strong food margins while never compromising on quality or resident experience

Food Safety & Compliance

• Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, health and safety and kitchen compliance
• Complete regular walk-throughs of kitchen and dining areas
• Ensure equipment is maintained and any issues are reported promptly
• Keep all food safety records, audits and internal systems up to date

Team Development

• Build a positive, supportive and high-performing kitchen culture
• Support the recruitment and onboarding of new team members
• Develop chefs and kitchen team members through training, coaching and Personal Development Plans
• Lead by example and encourage a collaborative, professional working environment

Resident Experience At Debden Grange, food plays an important part in community life. You'll have the opportunity to get to know our residents, understand what they enjoy and use their feedback to continually develop the dining experience. You'll create food that residents genuinely look forward to, while ensuring the kitchen also delivers a welcoming and memorable experience for visitors and guests.

Essential

• Level 3 Professional Cookery qualification, or equivalent
• Experience as a Head Chef or an ambitious Senior Sous Chef ready to step up
• Strong culinary skills and a genuine passion for high-quality food
• Experience leading and developing a kitchen team
• Experience managing food costs, budgets and stock
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• An understanding of a range of dietary requirements
• A willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS check

Desirable

• Experience within hospitality, retirement living, care or a similar environment
• Experience using kitchen compliance and procurement systems
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Experience delivering catering for events and functions
• Age Well - We create opportunities to live life to the full at every stage
• Community - We believe in the power of togetherness
• Keep Improving - We learn, adapt and grow continuously
• Planet Positive - We care for the environment and act responsibly
• One Team - We succeed together, with support and trust

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• 37.5 hours per week, working 40 hours including your unpaid break
• 5 days out of 7, with Friday and Saturday typically being your days off
• Free meals while on shift
• A supportive and collaborative working environment
• Learning and development opportunities
• Wellbeing and recognition initiatives
• The opportunity to lead and shape the food offering within a vibrant retirement community