Head Chef

Amicacare; Taunton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team environment

Growth opportunities

Competitive salary

Cycle-to-work scheme

Eyecare vouchers

Employee Assistance Programme

Early access wage scheme

Long service awards

Refer a friend £200

Job summary

Amica Care, opening Greenlands Meadow in Taunton, seeks a Head Chef to lead our new kitchen team and deliver nutritious, appetising meals that support residents’ health and dignity.

You will plan menus, manage shifts and stock, ensure high hygiene standards, and work with care staff to meet dietary and cultural needs. A recognised catering qualification and strong leadership are essential.

Qualifications

• Recognised catering qualification required.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and hygiene.
• Experience leading a kitchen team in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and staff.
• Plan, prepare and deliver nutritious, well-balanced meals.
• Develop and review seasonal menus with resident feedback.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and safety.
• Oversee stock, ordering and records for cost control.
• Collaborate with care staff to meet dietary needs.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety knowledge

Menu planning

Communication

Organisational skills

Education

Catering qualification

Job description

No agencies please. We will be in touch with you if we need your support.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Amica Care is excited to be opening Greenlands Meadow, our brand-new care home, in September 2026. We are now looking for a dedicated and experienced Head Chef to lead our catering service and play a key role in creating a warm, welcoming dining experience for our residents. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape a new kitchen team from the very beginning, delivering nutritious, well-balanced and appetising meals that support residents' health, wellbeing, dignity and individual preferences.

The Role:

The role provides day‑to‑day leadership of the kitchen team, ensuring the catering service contributes positively to residents' health, wellbeing and quality of life.

Various shifts available inclusive of the requirement to work alternate weekends.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, preparation and delivery of nutritious, well-balanced meals that meet residents' dietary, cultural and individual needs.
• Create a positive dining experience by ensuring meals are appetising, attractively presented and served on time.
• Develop and review varied seasonal menus, using resident feedback to continually improve the catering service.
• Lead, support and motivate the kitchen team, promoting high standards, teamwork and a professional working environment.
• Maintain excellent standards of food hygiene, kitchen cleanliness, infection prevention and health and safety compliance.
• Oversee ordering, stock control, safe food storage and kitchen records, ensuring quality and value for money.
• Work closely with care and nursing colleagues to support residents' changing nutritional and dietary requirements.
• Support special occasions and events by providing catering that helps residents celebrate and enjoy meaningful moments.

About You:

You will be an experienced and confident catering professional, ideally with experience in a care, healthcare or similarly regulated environment. With a recognised catering qualification, strong food safety knowledge and experience leading a team, you will be able to plan and deliver varied, nutritious menus that meet a wide range of dietary, cultural and individual needs.

We are looking for someone who is organised, calm under pressure and passionate about creating high-quality dining experiences for residents. You will bring excellent communication skills, attention to detail and a compassionate, resident-focused approach, working closely with colleagues to ensure every meal is safe, enjoyable and thoughtfully prepared.

Why join Amica Care?

At Amica, you'll find a caring, inclusive culture where people genuinely matter. As a charity, we are values‑led and focused on making a meaningful difference, while also being committed to playing our part in protecting the environment.

• A supportive and friendly team environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• The satisfaction of knowing your work makes a real difference every day
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Eyecare vouchers for VDU roles
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) free, confidential support for you and your family (wellbeing, counselling, legal advice).
• Early access wage scheme for financial flexibility.
• Long service awards
• A refer a friend bonus of £200.
• A friendly, inclusive and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters.

The closing date for this vacancy is 5th September 2026.

Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy before the advertised date and therefore encourage early applications.

Amica Care is a Disability Confident Employer.

Amica Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.