Head Chef — Autonomy, Growth & Balanced Hours

Barchester Healthcare; Broomedge; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewards Excellence bonus up to £500

Refer a Friend scheme up to £500

Discounts with major brands

Free access to medical specialists

Counselling and legal services

Tax Code Review Service

Monthly staff lottery

Chef Academy development

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a passionate Head Chef to deliver hotel/restaurant-quality dining in our care homes, with autonomy over menus and kitchen leadership. You will manage the kitchen and front of house teams, ensuring high standards and resident satisfaction.

Join our Chef Academy and ongoing development programmes, with opportunities to upskill and influence menus while maintaining excellent nutrition and safety standards in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• A personable and warm approach with genuine interest in resident wellbeing.
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• Experience leading, motivating and inspiring a team.
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition.
• Ability to create a warm, welcoming environment in our homes.
• Confidence engaging with residents to tailor menus.
• Experience with front of house teams to maintain high dining standards.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
• Knowledge of modified diets via IDDSI; training provided if new.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and upskill the kitchen and dining teams.
• Develop menus tailored to residents to deliver person-centred hospitality.
• Prepare high-quality dishes from fresh produce to meet top standards.
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch.
• Assist front of house with dining area setup.
• Manage budget, perform audits and control stock.
• Create a warm, efficient and enjoyable dining environment.
• Recruitment and retention of staff, supporting performance management.
• Oversee kitchen and front-of-house performance.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu planning

Nutrition awareness

Resident engagement

Front of house coordination

Food safety HACCP

Modified diets IDDSI

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a passionate Head Chef to deliver hotel/restaurant-quality dining in our care homes, with autonomy over menus and kitchen leadership. You will manage the kitchen and front of house teams, ensuring high standards and resident satisfaction.

Join our Chef Academy and ongoing development programmes, with opportunities to upskill and influence menus while maintaining excellent nutrition and safety standards in a supportive environment.