Head Chef | Lead Fresh, Nutritious Menus (4/5 Days)

Barchester Healthcare; Thurso; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewarding Excellence bonus up to £500

Refer a Friend bonus up to £500

Discounts with major brands

Medical specialists access

Counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead kitchen and front-of-house teams in delivering high‑quality, nutritious meals to our residents. You will develop menus, manage budgets, and create a warm, welcoming dining experience with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

You will mentor and upskill staff, ensure HACCP standards, and drive resident satisfaction across our homes, with opportunities for ongoing training and career development within the Barchester Chef Academy.

Qualifications

• A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
• Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition
• The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes
• Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
• Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
• Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required
• Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked to the highest standards
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
• Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas
• Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control
• Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
• Ongoing recruitment and retention
• Managing the performance of the kitchen team and front of house

Skills

Team leadership

Menu development

Fresh seasonal food

Nutrition awareness

Front of house collaboration

HACCP knowledge

IDDSI knowledge

Customer-focused

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead kitchen and front-of-house teams in delivering high‑quality, nutritious meals to our residents. You will develop menus, manage budgets, and create a warm, welcoming dining experience with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

You will mentor and upskill staff, ensure HACCP standards, and drive resident satisfaction across our homes, with opportunities for ongoing training and career development within the Barchester Chef Academy.