Head Chef - Fresh Menus, Balanced Hours & Team Leadership

Barchester; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewarding Excellence bonus up to £500*

Refer a Friend scheme up to £500*

Discounts with major brands

Free access to medical specialists

Counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Monthly staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare Limited is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and deliver high‑standard, nutritious menus in our care homes.

You will manage day‑to‑day kitchen operations, drive fresh, seasonal menus, and mentor staff to maintain hotel/restaurant quality without lengthy shifts. Training and development opportunities are available through our internal chef academy.

Qualifications

• Personable and warm approach with genuine care for residents
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
• Experience leading, motivating and inspiring a team
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and understanding of nutrition
• Ability to create a warm, welcoming environment in our homes
• Confident engaging with residents to craft appetising menus
• Experience working with front‑of‑house teams to maintain high dining standards
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
• Knowledge of modified diets using the IDDSI framework

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire a kitchen team; upskill where needed
• Develop menus tailored to residents to deliver person‑centred hospitality
• Prepare fresh, wholesome dishes from high‑quality ingredients to the highest standards
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
• Assist front‑of‑house in setting up dining areas
• Work within budget; perform audits and manage stock
• Create a warm, efficient and enjoyable dining environment
• Lead ongoing recruitment and retention within the team
• Manage performance of kitchen and front‑of‑house teams

Job description

Barchester Healthcare Limited is seeking a passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and deliver high‑standard, nutritious menus in our care homes.

You will manage day‑to‑day kitchen operations, drive fresh, seasonal menus, and mentor staff to maintain hotel/restaurant quality without lengthy shifts. Training and development opportunities are available through our internal chef academy.