Head Chef | Balanced Hours, Autonomy & Growth

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

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to £500 for good/ outstanding

Refer a Friend up to £500

Discounts with big brands

Free access to medical specialists

Counselling & legal services

Tax Code Review Service

Salary lottery participation

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead kitchen and front-of-house teams across our homes, delivering nutritious, flavoursome menus to residents. You will develop menus, manage budgets, and uphold high hospitality standards with autonomy over kitchen operations.

Our chefs participate in the Barchester Chef Academy, learning new techniques and sharing knowledge to support growth across the business, while maintaining care-focused service and quality dining.

Qualifications

• Personable and warm approach with genuine interest in residents' wellbeing.
• Team leadership and motivational experience.
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition understanding.
• Ability to create a welcoming environment within homes.
• Confidence engaging with residents to tailor appetising, nutritious menus.
• Experience working with front-of-house teams to set high dining standards.
• Strong HACCP and COSHH knowledge.
• IDDSI framework knowledge and training.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire kitchen and front-of-house teams.
• Develop menus tailored to residents, delivering person-centred hospitality.
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high-quality dishes.
• Bake and prepare fresh items from scratch.
• Assist FOH in dining area setup and service.
• Manage budgets, conduct audits and stock control.
• Create a warm, efficient and enjoyable environment.
• Recruitment and retention responsibilities.
• Oversee kitchen performance and staff development.

Skills

People skills

Team leadership

Menu planning

Food safety

IDDSI knowledge

Guest focus

FOH coordination

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead kitchen and front-of-house teams across our homes, delivering nutritious, flavoursome menus to residents. You will develop menus, manage budgets, and uphold high hospitality standards with autonomy over kitchen operations.

Our chefs participate in the Barchester Chef Academy, learning new techniques and sharing knowledge to support growth across the business, while maintaining care-focused service and quality dining.