Head Chef — Lead Fresh, Resident-Centered Menus

Barchester Healthcare; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4/5 day week

CQC bonus

Refer-a-Friend scheme

Discounts (retail & leisure)

Counselling services

Tax code review

Staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead a care home kitchen, delivering nutritious, flavoursome meals with high standards. You will develop menus around residents, manage a kitchen and front-of-house team, and ensure consistent quality.

The role emphasises autonomy in menu creation and staff development. Join a supportive organisation with opportunities for professional growth, a strong focus on quality and resident wellbeing, and a commitment to staff development within a home

Qualifications

• Personable, warm approach with residents' wellbeing in mind.
• Experience leading, motivating and inspiring a kitchen team.
• Experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition understanding.
• Ability to create a warm, welcoming home environment for residents.
• Confidence engaging residents to design appetising, nutritious menus.
• Strong HACCP and COSHH knowledge.
• Knowledge of modified diets via IDDSI framework and willingness to train on new care techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and upskill kitchen and front-of-house teams.
• Develop menus tailored to residents and person-centred hospitality.
• Source and use fresh produce to deliver high-quality dishes.
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch.
• Assist the front-of-house with dining area setup and service flow.
• Manage budgets, audits and stock control.
• Create a warm, efficient, and enjoyable dining environment.
• Recruitment and retention of staff.
• Oversee kitchen and front-of-house performance.

Skills

Personable approach

Team leadership

Fresh seasonal food

Welcoming environment

Menu development

HACCP & COSHH

IDDSI knowledge

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead a care home kitchen, delivering nutritious, flavoursome meals with high standards. You will develop menus around residents, manage a kitchen and front-of-house team, and ensure consistent quality.

The role emphasises autonomy in menu creation and staff development. Join a supportive organisation with opportunities for professional growth, a strong focus on quality and resident wellbeing, and a commitment to staff development within a home