Head Chef

NHS; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

NHS is seeking a Head Chef to manage a culinary team at Avery Healthcare in Sittingbourne. This role focuses on providing high-quality, nutritionally balanced meals to residents, adhering to dietary guidelines, and supervising kitchen operations. The ideal candidate will have experience in culinary management and strong budgeting skills, ensuring exceptional dining experiences for residents.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Opportunities for career development

Culture of respect and compassion

Qualifications

• Two years' experience managing a culinary team in care or hospitality.
• Relevant catering qualification required.
• Passion for high-quality culinary standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead a culinary team to provide high-quality culinary service.
• Prepare modified diets in accordance with IDDSI guidance.
• Supervise and direct kitchen staff and maintain safe work systems.

Skills

Culinary management

Budget control

Nutritional understanding

Team leadership

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ

Job description

Job summary

Avery Healthcare is one of the UK's largest providers of luxury elderly care homes, offering exceptional care across a growing network of over 100 homes. They are committed to creating meaningful experiences for their residents and employees, building a supportive and inspiring environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Main duties of the job

As a Head Chef at Avery Healthcare, you will be responsible for managing and leading a culinary team that provides nutritionally balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality culinary service to the residents. Your focus will be on preparing modified diets that are appealing, well-balanced, and in accordance with IDDSI guidance. You will also be responsible for placing food orders, supervising and directing the work of other kitchen staff, and practicing safe systems of work across the range of tasks.

About us

Avery Healthcare is one of the UK's largest providers of luxury elderly care homes, offering exceptional care across a growing network of over 100 homes. They are committed to creating meaningful experiences for their residents and employees, building a supportive and inspiring environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Details Date posted

09 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£16.60 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

1318392359

Job locations

Avery Healthcare

Sittingbourne

ME10 1QA

Job description Job responsibilities

Package Description: At Avery Healthcare, we are all about supporting the people who care for our residents. We know how hard our teams work, and were here to celebrate and support you every step of the way.When you join us, youll be making a positive impact on residents lives every day your compassion and dedication truly make a difference. Were committed to helping you grow in a caring, supportive environment, with opportunities to learn and develop throughout your career. And as part of our close-knit team, youll experience a culture that values respect, compassion, and a shared commitment to exceptional care.Were now looking for a warm, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual to join our award-winning team as a Head Chef. If this sounds like the place for you, wed love to hear from you!

ABOUT THE ROLE

Your focus as a Head Chef will be to manage and lead a culinary team that provides nutritionally balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality culinary service that contributes to the overall well-being of the residents and is achieved within budget.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Preparing modified diets that look appealing and are well-balanced and in accordance with IDDSI guidance.
• Placing food orders, subject to appropriate levels of authority, with approved suppliers, complying with procedures to maintain appropriate stock levels and control, ensuring good quality provisions are purchased within agreed budget limits.
• Supervising and directing the work of other kitchen staff and the Host team, instructing and demonstrating simple food preparation activities to unqualified staff.
• Practicing safe systems of work across the range of tasks and moving and handling loads by assessing risk and having due regard for the personal safety of residents, visitors, and staff.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in your application, you must live our values of caring, support, honesty, respect, and accountability in all that you do.

Our ideal candidate must:

• Two years experience managing a culinary team in the care or hospitality sectors.
• Hold a relevant catering qualification City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ.
• Demonstrate passion and commitment to the delivery of high-quality culinary standards to residents.
• Demonstrate an ability to control a budget.

ABOUT AVERY

At Avery, were not just one of the UKs largest providers of luxury elderly care homes were a place where people love to work. We believe that the later years of life should be as enriching as any other, and were passionate about creating meaningful experiences for our residents and our team alike. With our vision of "creating meaningful lives together," we proudly offer exceptional care across our growing network of over 100 homes, building a supportive and inspiring environment where employees feel valued and empowered every day. Join us and see why Avery is the preferred choice for residents and team members alike.

Please note this role will require:

• A DBS Disclosure check, the cost of which will be met by Avery Healthcare.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

This advert may be withdrawn prior to the advertised deadline depending on the volume of applications received and business needs. Job description Job responsibilities

Package Description: At Avery Healthcare, we are all about supporting the people who care for our residents. We know how hard our teams work, and were here to celebrate and support you every step of the way.When you join us, youll be making a positive impact on residents lives every day your compassion and dedication truly make a difference. Were committed to helping you grow in a caring, supportive environment, with opportunities to learn and develop throughout your career. And as part of our close-knit team, youll experience a culture that values respect, compassion, and a shared commitment to exceptional care.Were now looking for a warm, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual to join our award-winning team as a Head Chef. If this sounds like the place for you, wed love to hear from you!

ABOUT THE ROLE

Your focus as a Head Chef will be to manage and lead a culinary team that provides nutritionally balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality culinary service that contributes to the overall well-being of the residents and is achieved within budget.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Preparing modified diets that look appealing and are well-balanced and in accordance with IDDSI guidance.
• Placing food orders, subject to appropriate levels of authority, with approved suppliers, complying with procedures to maintain appropriate stock levels and control, ensuring good quality provisions are purchased within agreed budget limits.
• Supervising and directing the work of other kitchen staff and the Host team, instructing and demonstrating simple food preparation activities to unqualified staff.
• Practicing safe systems of work across the range of tasks and moving and handling loads by assessing risk and having due regard for the personal safety of residents, visitors, and staff.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in your application, you must live our values of caring, support, honesty, respect, and accountability in all that you do.

Our ideal candidate must:

• Two years experience managing a culinary team in the care or hospitality sectors.
• Hold a relevant catering qualification City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ.
• Demonstrate passion and commitment to the delivery of high-quality culinary standards to residents.
• Demonstrate an ability to control a budget.

ABOUT AVERY

At Avery, were not just one of the UKs largest providers of luxury elderly care homes were a place where people love to work. We believe that the later years of life should be as enriching as any other, and were passionate about creating meaningful experiences for our residents and our team alike. With our vision of "creating meaningful lives together," we proudly offer exceptional care across our growing network of over 100 homes, building a supportive and inspiring environment where employees feel valued and empowered every day. Join us and see why Avery is the preferred choice for residents and team members alike.

Please note this role will require:

• A DBS Disclosure check, the cost of which will be met by Avery Healthcare.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

This advert may be withdrawn prior to the advertised deadline depending on the volume of applications received and business needs. Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• To be successful in this role, you must have two years' experience managing a culinary team in the care or hospitality sectors, and hold a relevant catering qualification such as City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ. You must also demonstrate a passion and commitment to the delivery of high-quality culinary standards to residents, as well as the ability to control a budget.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• To be successful in this role, you must have two years' experience managing a culinary team in the care or hospitality sectors, and hold a relevant catering qualification such as City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ. You must also demonstrate a passion and commitment to the delivery of high-quality culinary standards to residents, as well as the ability to control a budget.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details Employer name

Avery Healthcare Group Ltd.

Address

Avery Healthcare

Sittingbourne

ME10 1QA

Employer's website

https://www.averyhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Avery Healthcare Group Ltd.

Address

Avery Healthcare

Sittingbourne

ME10 1QA

Employer's website

https://www.averyhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)