Head Chef

Amica Care Trust; West Down; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Training and development opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Early access wage scheme

Long Service Awards

£200 Refer a Friend bonus

Supportive team culture

Job summary

Amica Care Trust in Exmouth is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen at Exmouth House. You will design nutritious menus, manage the catering team and ensure meals meet high safety and quality standards for residents.

This permanent role offers a very competitive salary, 37 hours per week, and the opportunity to create meaningful dining experiences while maintaining a good work-life balance. Training and development opportunities are provided.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a kitchen team in a care or hospitality setting.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and safety practices.
• Passion for high-quality meals and excellent resident service.
• A caring, people-focused approach to staff and residents.

Responsibilities

• As Head Chef, lead the catering team and design nutritious menus for residents.
• Maintain high food safety standards and quality control across meals.
• Deliver consistent, balanced and appealing dining experiences for residents.
• Develop and mentor kitchen staff and foster a positive team culture.

Skills

Lead kitchen team

Food hygiene and safety

Quality food and customer service

Caring, people-focused approach

Job description

Exmouth House, Exmouth
Very Competitive Salary | 37 hours per week | Permanent

Love cooking, but done with late nights, split shifts and hospitality burnout?

Join Amica Care and lead the kitchen in our care home, Exmouth House.

This is a rare opportunity to run your own kitchen, build your own team and create exceptional dining experiences for residents, all while enjoying the work-life balance that many chefs dream of.

Why make the move?

• No late evenings
• Permanent, secure employment
• Regular hours every week
• Alternate weekends
• Lead and develop your own team
• Build meaningful relationships with residents
• Make a genuine difference every day

Unlike restaurants and hotels, you'll be cooking for people in their own home. You'll get to know the residents, understand their favourite meals, celebrate special occasions and see first‑hand the impact great food has on their wellbeing and happiness.

The Role

As Head Chef, you'll lead the catering team, design nutritious and delicious menus, maintain excellent food safety standards and deliver meals that residents look forward to every day.

About You

You'll be an experienced chef with:

• Experience leading a kitchen team
• Strong food hygiene and safety knowledge
• A passion for quality food and customer service
• A caring, people-focused approach

Care sector experience is welcome but not essential.

As a values-led charity, we offer:

• Competitive pay
• Training and development opportunities
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family
• Early access wage scheme
• Long Service Awards
• £200 Refer a Friend bonus
• Supportive and friendly team culture

Lead a kitchen. Enjoy a better work-life balance. Make every meal matter.

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

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

No agencies please. We will be in touch if we require your support.

Amica Care is a Disability Confident Employer.

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