Head Chef - Create Nutritious Creative Menus with Autonomy

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited; Brentwood; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to £500

Refer a Friend scheme up to £500

Discounts with brands

Free medical specialists

Counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester is seeking a Head Chef to deliver hotel/restaurant standards within our care home kitchen, with full autonomy over menus and ongoing team development.

You will lead, motivate and upskill a kitchen and front-of-house team, create nutritious, appetising menus using fresh seasonal ingredients, manage budgets and stock, and drive high dining standards across residents. Training through the Barchester Chef Academy supports your growth.

Qualifications

• Personable and warm approach with resident wellbeing focus.
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• Experience leading and inspiring a team.
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition.
• Ability to create a welcoming dining environment for residents.
• Confidence engaging with residents to tailor appetising menus.
• Experience with front-of-house coordination to high standards.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
• Knowledge of IDDSI modified diets; training available if new to care.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and upskill the kitchen team.
• Develop menus tailored to residents and person-centred hospitality.
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high-quality dishes.
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch.
• Assist front-of-house with dining setup.
• Manage budgets, audits and stock control.
• Create a warm, efficient, and fun environment.
• Ongoing recruitment and retention.
• Oversee kitchen and front-of-house performance.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Nutrition knowledge

Team motivation

Customer service

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Tools

HACCP

COSHH

IDDSI framework

Job description

Barchester is seeking a Head Chef to deliver hotel/restaurant standards within our care home kitchen, with full autonomy over menus and ongoing team development.

You will lead, motivate and upskill a kitchen and front-of-house team, create nutritious, appetising menus using fresh seasonal ingredients, manage budgets and stock, and drive high dining standards across residents. Training through the Barchester Chef Academy supports your growth.