Head Chef - Autonomy, Growth & Balanced Hours

Barchester Healthcare; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewarding Excellence bonus up to £500

Refer a Friend up to £500

Discounts at retailers/leisure

Medical specialists access

Counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Monthly staff lottery

Working 4/5 days across weekends

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead and develop a kitchen team, deliver nutritious, high-standard meals and maintain a warm dining environment in our homes. You will design menus around residents’ needs, supervise front of house and manage budgets, audits and stock control.

We value a warm, welcoming approach, strong HACCP/COSHH knowledge, and experience with modified diets (IDDSI). Join our Chef Academy and contribute to ongoing development across the business.

Qualifications

• Personable and warm approach with genuine care for residents.
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• Experience in leading and motivating a kitchen team.
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition.
• Ability to create welcoming environments in homes.
• Confidence engaging residents to design appetising menus.
• Experience with front of house teams and high-standards setup.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
• Knowledge of modified diets using IDDSI framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and upskill the kitchen team.
• Develop menus tailored to residents with person-centred hospitality.
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high-quality dishes.
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch.
• Assist front of house with dining area setup.
• Operate within budget and perform audits and stock control.
• Create a warm, efficient and fun environment.
• Recruitment and retention ongoing.
• Manage performance of kitchen and front of house teams.

Skills

Personable and warm approach

Team leadership

Nutrition awareness

Menu development

Budgeting and stock control

Front of house coordination

HACCP knowledge

COSHH knowledge

IDDSI dietary modification

Education

City & Guilds / NVQ / SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead and develop a kitchen team, deliver nutritious, high-standard meals and maintain a warm dining environment in our homes. You will design menus around residents’ needs, supervise front of house and manage budgets, audits and stock control.

We value a warm, welcoming approach, strong HACCP/COSHH knowledge, and experience with modified diets (IDDSI). Join our Chef Academy and contribute to ongoing development across the business.