Head Chef (Care Home)

Advinia Healthcare; Dumfries; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Wellbeing support and activities

Pension contribution (Optional)

5.6 weeks annual leave

Job summary

Advinia Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef/Kitchen Manager at Goldielea Care Home in Scotland to lead a kitchen team and deliver high-quality meals for residents, staff, and visitors. The role focuses on efficient production, budget compliance, and menu development.

You’ll oversee staffing rotas, training, and supplier stock while maintaining high hygiene standards in a supportive, sociable environment with regular events and resident engagement.

Qualifications

• GCSE English or equivalent
• Catering Diploma and Health & Food Hygiene certificates
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 or equivalent basic food prep
• Basic Food Hygiene essential
• Management/supervisory qualification preferred
• Experience delivering mass catering service
• Menu planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budgeting experience

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day management of the catering team to run efficient food production
• Ensure nutritional and dietary needs are met for residents, staff, and visitors
• Lead menu planning within budgetary constraints
• Maintain equipment and environment; report maintenance needs
• Manage stock and equipment; monitor temperatures and hygiene
• Create and implement on-site menus; participate in residents’ events and themed days
• Oversee rosters, agency and overtime planning; cover absences
• Support monthly audits of catering provision and quality standards
• Engage with Head Chefs/Kitchen Managers for continuous improvement

Skills

Team management

Menu planning

Food hygiene

Budgeting

Staff rotas

Education

GCSE English

Catering Diploma

Health & Safety & Food Hygiene Certs

Management qualification

Job description

Have you ever imagined being a Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager and still having a great social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager while maintaining a great life outside of work.  

You will be leading an established kitchen team overseeing the preparation of large-scale meals for the Staff, Residents and Visitors. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, as you provide guidance and training to support your team.

There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year which you’ll also cater for – world food day, Christmas, Easter, family days, Four weekly themed events and Resident Choice days. In other words, plenty of chance to be creative and make a difference.   

It’s a calm and pleasurable working environment, where you’ll be able to manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. There’s a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly. 

You and your catering team will run the kitchen to a great standard, ensuring a smooth operation with a clean kitchen.

Just imagine… great job satisfaction, home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week. Now that’s a recipe for a great work-life combination.

As a Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager you will be:

• Coordinating the day-to-day management of the catering team to run an efficient food production service.
• Ensuring that the catering service meets the nutritional and dietary needs of the service users. 
• Ensuring the catering service provides meals to Residents, Staff and Visitors in accordance with the Company policies and procedures.
• Taking the lead in the production of a menu plan, providing a varied diet within budgetary restraints.
• Ensuring that any maintenance and servicing of catering equipment or the environment is reported to Maintenance Manager.
• Seek feedback- Resident Surveys.
• Responding to any reported complaints or incidents, assisting with investigation and referring any unresolved complaints
• Responsible for stock management( Four Weekly) and equipment in the production areas, reporting issues or concerns.
• Managing efficient staff rotas, plan agency and overtime cover and ensure absences are covered within agreed budgets.
• Assisting in the completion of monthly audits of the catering provision to ensure standards are maintained.
• Regular meetings with other Head Chefs/ Kitchen Managers, Hospitality Development Manager.
• Involvement with menu creation, and implementing on your site.
• Chef of the Year Competition.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• GCSE or equivalent English
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) Basic Food Preparation Cooking
• Basic Food Hygiene (essential)
• Intermediate Food hygiene (desirable)
• Previous experience in a similar environment
• Management/Supervisory Qualification
• Previous experience in delivering a service en masse
• Menu Planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget experience

Where you will be working:

Location: Goldielea Care Home

You will work alongside the multidisciplinary service to promote great food service. 

In return we can offer:

• Hourly Rate of £15.50ph
• 5.6 weeks Annual Leave inclusive of Bank Holidays pro rata per hours worked
• Free parking
• Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a great work-life balance.
• Career development and training to help you achieve your career goals.
• Pension contribution to secure your future.(Optional)

There is also a range of other benefits including retail discounts, special offers and much more.

About your next employer:

You will be working for an established, agile company with over 2,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 36 services across England and Scotland.

It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of Residents.

INDCHEF