Head Chef – Lead Kitchen, Fresh Menus, Great Balance

Barchester Healthcare; Storrington; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rewarding Excellence bonus

Refer a Friend scheme

Discounts on shopping

Medical specialists access

Counselling & legal services

Tax code review

Staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead our kitchen teams across care-home dining. You will develop menus that balance nutrition, taste and resident wellbeing, creating warm, welcoming dining environments while maintaining high standards.

You will mentor staff, manage budgets, and work closely with front-of-house to deliver exceptional service. Rewarding excellence bonuses and flexible 4–5 day patterns are available.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a kitchen team in a care or hospitality setting.
• Strong background in menu planning focused on nutrition and resident wellbeing.
• Excellent knowledge of food safety, HACCP and COSHH principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire a kitchen team; upskill where needed.
• Develop menus tailored to residents, delivering person-centred hospitality.
• Use fresh produce to prepare high-quality, nutritious dishes to a high standard.
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch.
• Assist front-of-house in dining area setup and service.
• Work within budget; perform audits and maintain stock control.
• Create warm, efficient, and enjoyable dining environments.
• Recruitment and retention of kitchen staff.
• Manage performance of kitchen and front-of-house teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Menu development

Nutrition knowledge

Fresh seasonal produce

Budgeting & stock control

Food safety HACCP

Front of house collaboration

Modified diets IDDSI

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester Healthcare is seeking a Head Chef to lead our kitchen teams across care-home dining. You will develop menus that balance nutrition, taste and resident wellbeing, creating warm, welcoming dining environments while maintaining high standards.

You will mentor staff, manage budgets, and work closely with front-of-house to deliver exceptional service. Rewarding excellence bonuses and flexible 4–5 day patterns are available.