Head Chef - Balanced Hours, Innovative Menus

Barchester Healthcare; Shoreham-by-Sea; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4/5 day week schedule

Bonus up to £500 for Good/OutstandingC

Refer a Friend up to £500

Retail and leisure discounts

Access to medical specialists

Counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Monthly staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead a kitchen team, develop menus tailored to residents, and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals in a care-home environment.

You will manage dining areas, budget, and stock while maintaining warm hospitality and person-centred service. The role emphasizes autonomy, ongoing training, and developing staff within a supportive academy framework.

Qualifications

• A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents.
• Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team.
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition.
• The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes.
• Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus.
• Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
• Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required.
• Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality.
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked to the highest standards.
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch.
• Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas.
• Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control.
• Create a warm, efficient and fun environment.
• Ongoing recruitment and retention.
• Managing the performance of the kitchen team and front of house.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

HACCP

COSHH

Nutrition

FOH coordination

IDDSI

Staff training

Budgeting

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead a kitchen team, develop menus tailored to residents, and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals in a care-home environment.

You will manage dining areas, budget, and stock while maintaining warm hospitality and person-centred service. The role emphasizes autonomy, ongoing training, and developing staff within a supportive academy framework.