Head Chef: Lead Seasonal Menus & Team with Autonomy

HealthJobs4U Ltd; Epping Forest; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to £500 for good CQC

Refer a Friend bonus up to £500

Discounts on retail/leisure

Medical specialists access

Counselling services

Tax code review

Staff lottery

Job summary

Barchester is seeking a Head Chef to lead and inspire our kitchen and front of house teams. You will develop menus tailored to residents, use fresh seasonal produce, and maintain high hospitality standards across the dining experience.

You will oversee budgets, audits, and stock control, while driving training and recruitment to keep the team motivated and delivering nutritious, flavoursome meals. Training on IDDSI and care-specific diets is provided.

Qualifications

• Experience leading, motivating and inspiring a team.
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition.
• Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework.
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• Confident engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus.

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 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

Nutrition knowledge

Front of house coordination

HACCP

COSHH

IDDSI training

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Barchester is seeking a Head Chef to lead and inspire our kitchen and front of house teams. You will develop menus tailored to residents, use fresh seasonal produce, and maintain high hospitality standards across the dining experience.

You will oversee budgets, audits, and stock control, while driving training and recruitment to keep the team motivated and delivering nutritious, flavoursome meals. Training on IDDSI and care-specific diets is provided.