Head Chef: Lead Fresh, Nutritious Menus with Balanced Hours

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited; Kettering; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CQC-related bonus up to £500

Refer a Friend bonus up to £500

Discounts at retailers and travel

Healthcare access

Counselling services

Tax code review service

Staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited is seeking a Head Chef to lead a kitchen team in our care homes, delivering nutritious, flavoursome menus and high standards of service. You will have autonomy to develop menus while mentoring staff, managing costs, and ensuring dietary needs are met with care and professionalism.

You will work with fresh seasonal produce, train the team, and uphold food safety standards, including HACCP and IDDSI guidelines, within a supportive, quality-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Personable and warm approach with genuine interest in residents’ wellbeing.
• Experience leading, motivating and inspiring a team.
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with good understanding of nutrition.
• 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 restaurants meet high standards.
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
• Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework; training available if new to care.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire a team; develop and upskill where required.
• Menu development; tailor around residents to deliver person-centred hospitality.
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high-quality, wholesome dishes.
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch.
• Assist front of house with dining area setup.
• Work within budget; complete regular audits and stock control.
• Create a warm, efficient and fun environment.
• Ongoing recruitment and retention.
• Manage performance of kitchen and front of house teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu development

Nutrition awareness

Front of house collaboration

HACCP knowledge

COSHH knowledge

Education

City & Guilds / NVQ / SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited is seeking a Head Chef to lead a kitchen team in our care homes, delivering nutritious, flavoursome menus and high standards of service. You will have autonomy to develop menus while mentoring staff, managing costs, and ensuring dietary needs are met with care and professionalism.

You will work with fresh seasonal produce, train the team, and uphold food safety standards, including HACCP and IDDSI guidelines, within a supportive, quality-driven environment.