Head Chef: Balanced Hours, Menu Visionary & Team Leader

Barchester Healthcare; Ringwood; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewarding Excellence bonus (up to £500

Refer a Friend scheme (up to £500)

Discounts with big brands

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 our kitchen and dining teams within our care homes. You will develop menus that suit residents’ needs, ensuring nutritious, flavoursome dishes are prepared with fresh seasonal produce.

You will also work with the front-of-house team to maintain high standards and a welcoming dining experience. The role requires strong leadership, experience with care-home dining, HACCP/COSHH knowledge, and familiarity with IDDSI modified diets.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and inspiring kitchen teams.
• Experience with fresh seasonal ingredients and nutrition.
• Ability to create warm, welcoming dining environments in care homes.
• Experience collaborating with front-of-house to maintain high restaurant standards.
• Knowledge of HACCP and COSHH in a catering setting.
• Awareness of modified diets using IDDSI framework.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and upskill kitchen and dining teams.
• Develop menus tailored to residents, delivering person-centred hospitality.
• Use fresh produce to prepare high-quality, nutritious dishes.
• Bake or prepare fresh bakery items as part of daily menu.
• Support front-of-house with dining area setup and service.
• Manage budgets, audits and stock control.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu development

Fresh seasonal food

People skills

Hospitality in homes

Menu costing

Dietetics (IDDSI)

HACCP knowledge

COSHH knowledge

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead our kitchen and dining teams within our care homes. You will develop menus that suit residents’ needs, ensuring nutritious, flavoursome dishes are prepared with fresh seasonal produce.

You will also work with the front-of-house team to maintain high standards and a welcoming dining experience. The role requires strong leadership, experience with care-home dining, HACCP/COSHH knowledge, and familiarity with IDDSI modified diets.