Head Chef - Care Home

NHS; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead a dedicated kitchen team. This role offers a unique opportunity to create delicious, nutritious menus while maintaining high standards without the stress of split shifts. You will be responsible for menu development, utilizing fresh produce, and inspiring your team to deliver exceptional dining experiences. With a commitment to staff development, you will have access to training programs and a supportive environment that values quality and teamwork. If you are passionate about cooking and want to make a difference, this position is for you!

Benefits

Rewarding Excellence bonus

Refer a Friend scheme

Retail and leisure discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Counselling and legal services

Tax Code Review Service

Monthly staff lottery

Qualifications

• Experience in leading and motivating a team.
• Good understanding of nutrition and seasonal food.
• Knowledge of HACCP and COSHH.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire the kitchen team while developing their skills.
• Create nutritious menus tailored to residents' needs.
• Assist front of house with dining area setup.

Skills

Team Leadership

Menu Development

Nutritional Knowledge

HACCP

COSHH

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

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.

Main duties of the job

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! You will lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required. You will be responsible for menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure you deliver person-centred hospitality. You will work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked of the highest standards. You will also bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch and assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of high-quality care and support services in the UK. They operate over 200 care homes, retirement villages and private hospitals across the country, employing over 18,000 people dedicated to delivering exceptional care. Barchester is committed to providing the best possible care and quality of life for their residents, patients and clients.

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

Person Specification

Qualifications

• 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. Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH. 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.