Head Chef — Balanced Hours, Leadership & Growth

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited; Wallingford; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Alternate weekends 4/5 days

Refer a Friend bonus up to £500

Staff discounts

Medical specialists access

Counselling and legal services

Tax Code Review Service

Monthly staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited is seeking a skilled Head Chef to lead the kitchen team in our care homes. You will develop nutritious menus, supervise frontline staff, and ensure dining areas reflect high hospitality standards.

With a focus on fresh seasonal ingredients and modified diets (IDDSI), you will manage budgets, uphold HACCP/COSHH practices, and recruit top talent to sustain outstanding resident experiences across our homes.

Qualifications

• A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents.
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• 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 of 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

Personable & warm

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ

Team leadership

Fresh seasonal food

Nutrition awareness

Warm and welcoming environment

Front of house collaboration

HACCP & COSHH

IDDSI modified diets

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited is seeking a skilled Head Chef to lead the kitchen team in our care homes. You will develop nutritious menus, supervise frontline staff, and ensure dining areas reflect high hospitality standards.

With a focus on fresh seasonal ingredients and modified diets (IDDSI), you will manage budgets, uphold HACCP/COSHH practices, and recruit top talent to sustain outstanding resident experiences across our homes.