Head Chef | Balanced Hours, Fresh Menus, Chef Academy

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

Benefits offered by this job

4/5 day week

Bonus up to £500 for CQC inspection

Refer a Friend up to £500

Discounts with big brands

Medical specialists access

Counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Monthly staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a passionate Head Chef to bring hotel/restaurant standards to our homes, with autonomy over menus and team development. You will lead a kitchen and front-of-house staff, delivering nutritious, flavoursome meals with seasonal produce.

This role focuses on person-centred hospitality, budget control, and continuous improvement, including staff recruitment and training. A warm, welcoming dining environment is essential to quality resident care.

Qualifications

• Personable and warm approach focused on resident wellbeing.
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• Experience leading a team in kitchen settings.
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition.
• Ability to create a warm environment in homes.
• Confidence engaging with residents to tailor appetising menus.
• Experience with front of house teams to maintain high restaurant standards.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
• Knowledge of modified diets using IDDSI; training available if new to care.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire a team; develop and upskill as required.
• Menu development tailored to residents for 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.
• Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control.
• Create a warm, efficient and fun environment.
• Ongoing recruitment and retention.
• Manage performance of kitchen and front of house teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Nutrition knowledge

Budget management

Stock control

HACCP & COSHH

IDDSI knowledge

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a passionate Head Chef to bring hotel/restaurant standards to our homes, with autonomy over menus and team development. You will lead a kitchen and front-of-house staff, delivering nutritious, flavoursome meals with seasonal produce.

This role focuses on person-centred hospitality, budget control, and continuous improvement, including staff recruitment and training. A warm, welcoming dining environment is essential to quality resident care.