Head Chef Head Chef

HC-One Ltd.; Linton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care home company is seeking a Head Chef to manage kitchen operations and oversee meal preparation for residents. You will ensure high-quality meals are served that meet individual dietary needs while maintaining hygiene and food safety standards. This role offers significant professional development and numerous benefits including higher than average pay, company pension, and access to a variety of well-being services. You will inspire your kitchen team to create a welcoming dining experience in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Higher than average pay rates

Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG

Free uniform

Company pension scheme

28 days annual leave including bank holidays

Life assurance cover

Award-winning learning and development

GP online consultations

Colleague discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Free onsite car parking

Refer a friend scheme

Qualifications

• Valid S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery.
• Minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate required.
• Strong understanding of HACCP essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage kitchen operations and staff schedules.
• Plan and prepare menus within guidelines.
• Maintain food safety standards and HACCP compliance.
• Control inventory and manage supplier relations.
• Ensure high hygiene standards and safe food handling.
• Support enjoyable dining experiences for residents.
• Address safeguarding concerns and attend related training.

Skills

Catering & Hospitality knowledge

Food Hygiene regulations

HACCP compliance

Education

S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Overview

As a Head Chef at HC‑One, kindness is at the heart of everything you do. It's a quality that touches every part of life in our Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Specialist care homes. Everyone who works here understands that our Residents are individuals, each with their own life stories - and by joining HC‑One, you'll have the opportunity to give something meaningful back to them through your care and commitment.

As Head Chef, you'll inspire your kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that our Residents will genuinely enjoy. You'll ensure every dish supports our Residents' health and wellbeing, considering individual dietary needs, cultural preferences, and nutritional requirements. With hygiene and safety always front of mind, you'll take responsibility for managing the kitchen efficiently – overseeing stock, budgets, orders, and compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP.

You'll work closely with central teams to maintain nutritional excellence while running a smooth, well‑organised kitchen operation. You'll also play a vital role in shaping mealtimes into enjoyable, ambient dining experiences. Great food in a welcoming environment can make a real difference to our Residents' quality of life.

Responsibilities

In addition to the above, you will:

• Manage kitchen operations and staff schedules.
• Plan and prepare menus that meet regulatory and nutritional guidelines.
• Maintain food safety standards and HACCP compliance.
• Control inventory and liaise with suppliers.
• Ensure high hygiene standards and safe food handling.
• Support the development of an enjoyable dining experience for residents.
• Identify and address safeguarding concerns; attend related training and report any issues.

Qualifications

• An S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery
• A minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate
• A good understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

About HC‑One

At HC‑One, kindness is more than a word—it’s a way of life. We believe that caring for people means caring about what matters most to them, so we can support them to live their best possible lives. To provide the kindest possible care, everyone at HC‑One brings and nurtures five key qualities – what we call Kindness the HC‑One Way:

• We are curious – asking questions, seeking to understand.
• We are compassionate – walking in the shoes of others.
• We are creative – finding practical ways to make things happen.
• We are courageous – supporting residents to live the life they choose.
• We are dependable – people can always count on us.

We champion inclusivity, fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. Our diverse workforce helps us learn from one another and better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds into our HC‑One family and prioritise inclusive working practices across everything we do. We are also enhancing the way we support residents through digital care planning, helping us streamline care, improve outcomes, and make daily tasks more efficient. As you grow with us, you will enjoy continuous professional development and opportunities to advance at regional and national levels.

Benefits

As a Head Chef, you will enjoy access to a wide variety of benefits and services to support your physical and psychological well‑being throughout your career.

• Higher than average pay rates
• Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
• Free uniform
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Life assurance cover for all colleagues
• Award‑winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications
• GP online – a service providing around‑the‑clock GP consultation via an interactive app – available to you and your children under 16
• An to learn from experienced colleagues as part of an outstanding and committed team
• Colleague discounts – access to over 1600 high‑street discounts including carefully selected discount partners
• Well‑being – free of charge access to an independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme, offering 24/7 365 support for a whole range of issues including physical, mental and financial issues
• First‑rate working environment in a purpose‑built luxury homeFree onsite car parking and close to local transport links
• Refer a friend scheme