Head Chef - Care Home

Barchester Healthcare; Woking; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in Woking is seeking a motivated Head Chef to create high-quality, nutritious dishes and manage the kitchen team. This role offers chefs full autonomy over menu development, allowing for creativity in serving residents while delivering hotel-level standards without long shifts. The opportunity includes joining the Barchester Chef Academy for ongoing development and support. If you are passionate about food and resident wellbeing, apply today.

Benefits

Bonus for good inspection results

Refer a friend scheme

Access to retail discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Confidential counselling services

Qualifications

• A warm and engaging personality with genuine interest in resident wellbeing.
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and menu creation.
• Confidence in creating appetising and nutritious dishes.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and inspire the kitchen team.
• Develop and tailor menus around residents.
• Ensure high standards in cooking and presentation.
• Assist with front of house setup and budget management.

Skills

Personable approach

Experience in leading teams

Understanding of nutrition

Knowledge of HACCP and COSHH

Ability to engage with residents

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

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