Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen)

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

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in Bournemouth is seeking a Head Chef for the Central Production Kitchen. This role involves developing menus, managing staff, and ensuring adherence to health standards. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills and relevant food hygiene qualifications. Experience in kitchen management and menu development is essential. This position offers flexible working patterns and the opportunity to contribute to high-quality patient meal services.

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in a kitchen environment.
• Ability to multitask and manage time effectively.
• Experience in low and high risk kitchen areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop new dishes and menus while ensuring quality.
• Oversee selection and ordering of ingredients.
• Train and supervise kitchen staff.

Skills

Problem solving

Knowledge of HACCP & COSHH

Menumark experience

Experience in New Product Development

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene

Level 3 HACCP

Level 4 Food Hygiene

Job description

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen)

The closing date is 05 October 2025

Main duties of the job

Developing new dishes and menus, ensuring variety and quality, and adapting to seasonal ingredients. Ensuring consistency and efficiency in production. Overseeing the selection, ordering of ingredients, managing stock levels, and minimizing waste. Supervising and directing all kitchen staff (Chefs and Catering Assistant and Store person). Training new and existing staff on techniques, recipes, and safety procedures. Evaluating staff performance, providing feedback, and addressing any issues or disciplinary matters. Overseeing the maintenance and upkeep of kitchen equipment. Managing food costs, minimizing waste, and ensuring profitability. Addressing any issues that arise in the kitchen, from equipment malfunctions to staffing shortages. Ensuring the kitchen adheres to all relevant health and safety regulations, including food hygiene standards. Adhering to all company policies and procedures related to the kitchen operation. Your responsibilities will include the catering stores. Ensure all the cleaning Schedules and production recipes are signed off.

About us

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions at interview.

This post is part of the Catering service that UHD may transfer to an NHS 'wholly owned subsidiary'; the proposed date of transfer is October 2025. This is an exciting opportunity to join a developing, expanding, organisation with a strong commitment to NHS values and putting patients first. The NHS wholly owned subsidiary will continue to offer NHS AFC T&Cs to current employees who transfer in October as well as to new employees recruited after that date.

Job responsibilities

Please review the job description and person specification to gain a better understanding of the Head Chef (Central Production Kitchen) role.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in Low risk and High Risk Area
• 3 years experience
• Ability to Multi Tasking
• Good Time Management

Knowledge

• IDDSI Meals
• Experience in Preparing Diets Meals for Patient

Qualifications

• Level 3 Food Hygiene
• Level 3 HACCP
• Level 4 Food Hygiene

Skills

• Ability to prove problem solving
• Knowledge of HACCP & COSHH
• Menumark Experience
• Experience in New Product Development/ Existing Product Development

Role requirement

• Flexible Working Pattern
• Leadership/ Team Player
• Problem Solving/Critical Thinking
• Good Knowledge of I.T.
• Communication Skills
• Speciality in any cuisine

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.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust