Head Chef - Care Home

NHS; Ferndown; On-site; Full time

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef for its care home in Ferndown. The role offers a great work-life balance with responsibilities like menu development and team motivation, alongside a supportive work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Rewarding Excellence bonus up to £500 for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection

Unlimited access to Refer a Friend scheme, earning up to £500 per referral

Wide range of retail and leisure discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Confidential and free counselling and legal services

Tax Code Review Service

Option to join monthly staff lottery

Qualifications

• Experience in leading, motivating, and inspiring a team.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
• Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required.
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes.
• Assist the front of house team with setting up dining areas.

Skills

Team Leadership

Menu Development

Nutrition Knowledge

Communication Skills

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

This is a Head Chef role at a care home operated by Barchester Healthcare, a leading provider of high-quality care services in the UK. The role involves leading and motivating a team, developing menus, working with fresh produce to deliver high-quality and wholesome dishes, and creating a warm and efficient environment for the residents.

Main duties of the job

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. You will be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, with a focus on providing a better work-life balance for its employees.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of high-quality care services in the UK, operating over 200 care homes and retirement villages across the country. The company is committed to delivering exceptional care and support to its residents, and places a strong emphasis on the wellbeing and development of its employees.

Details Date posted

28 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£17.87 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1333681801

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Ferndown

BH22 9EU

Job description Job responsibilities

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 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 (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

0854

Job description Job responsibilities

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 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 (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

0854

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• 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, confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus, experience working with a front of house team, good understanding of HACCP and COSHH, and knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework.

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• 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, confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus, experience working with a front of house team, good understanding of HACCP and COSHH, and knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Ferndown

BH22 9EU

Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Ferndown

BH22 9EU

Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)