Head Chef in Woking)

Sterling Cross Ltd; Woking; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading luxury care provider in Woking is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead their culinary team. You will have the freedom to create your own menus using fresh, seasonal ingredients in a modern kitchen. This role offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate culinary expertise while maintaining a great work-life balance, without night shifts. Candidates should have a strong background in leading kitchen teams and ensuring high standards of culinary quality, nutrition, and safety.

Benefits

Holiday, retail, and leisure discounts

Ongoing learning and development

Refer-a-Friend bonus scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Monthly staff lottery with cash prizes

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or equivalent level.
• Experience leading and inspiring a kitchen team.
• Strong knowledge of fresh seasonal food preparation.

Responsibilities

• Cover 4 or 5 day shifts per week without night shifts.
• Design and run menus with full autonomy.
• Prepare gourmet dishes catering to dietary requirements.

Skills

Culinary expertise

Team leadership

Nutrition knowledge

HACCP understanding

Creativity in menu design

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Restaurant standards, without restaurant hours.

A premium care home in Woking - brand-new and due to open soon - has a great opportunity for an experienced Chef to join the team as their Head Chef.

Part of one of the UK's leading luxury care groups, the home was purposely designed to offer residents an exceptional experience across the board – including unbeatable hospitality and fine dining – with the perfect mix of comfort, consideration and connection.

Responsibilities

• Cover 4 or 5 day shifts per week, no nights required and only alternate weekends.
• Only be dealing with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Have the freedom to get creative in running a modern and well-equipped kitchen.
• Design your own flavoursome and nutritious menus, built around the needs of the residents, with full autonomy.
• Lead your team in preparing gourmet dishes that demonstrate culinary expertise and fully cater to health‑related dietary requirements.
• Work with food at hotel/restaurant quality with a better work‑balance, leaving behind split shifts and long weeks.
• Maintain a permanent, full‑time position.

Benefits

• Modern, upgraded kitchens at a brand‑new premium care home.
• Financial reward for achieving positive CQC inspections.
• Access to a scheme for a wide range of holiday, retail, and leisure discounts.
• Ongoing learning and development.
• Unlimited access to a Refer‑a‑Friend bonus scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support, including free access to medical experts for second opinions.
• Recognition initiatives.
• Monthly staff lottery offering cash prizes.
• And more!

Person specification

• Previous experience working at Head Chef or equivalent level.
• Experience leading, motivating and inspiring a team.
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food.
• Good understanding of nutrition.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.