Head Chef - Care Home

Barchester Healthcare; Draughton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in Draughton is seeking a dedicated Chef to lead the kitchen team and create nutritious, flavoursome menus for residents. The role focuses on motivating the team, menu development, and ensuring high food standards without long shifts. Candidates should possess relevant qualifications and experience in leading a culinary team with a passion for resident wellbeing. Join us today to be part of a supportive culinary environment and continue your professional development.

Benefits

Working days with alternate weekends

Performance bonus up to £500*

Refer a Friend scheme

Retail and leisure discounts

Free medical consultation access

Confidential counselling and legal services

Tax Code Review Service

Monthly staff lottery

Qualifications

• A personable approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents.
• Ability to create appetising and nutritious menus.
• Experience with front of house teams to ensure high standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire the kitchen team.
• Develop menus tailored to residents' needs.
• Deliver high-quality dishes using fresh produce.
• Assist in front of house setup.
• Manage kitchen performance and team development.
• Participate in regular audits and stock control.

Skills

Experience in leading a team

Understanding of fresh seasonal food

Knowledge of HACCP and COSHH

Warm approach to resident wellbeing

Confidence in engaging with residents

Education

City & Guilds / NVQ / SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be!

Your Benefits and Rewards

• Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4 / 5 days a week
• Rewarding Excellence' bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
• Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
• Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies
• Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it
• Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
• Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax
• Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide

Your Experience and 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 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 (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)

Your Role and 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
• As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel / restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development.
• We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs.
• Our internal Learning and Development team also offer industry recognised apprenticeships and further qualifications to chefs and hospitality team members who are looking to build upon and / or develop their skills.
• Interested? If you are a motivated and dedicated chef who is ready to be part of something special, apply today!

• Terms & conditions apply