Head Cook

Hartford Care; Walsall; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Hartford Care is seeking a Head Chef at Delves Court, Walsall, to lead the kitchen and provide home-made, nutritious meals for residents. The role emphasises warmth, creativity and care, with a 40-hour week and alternate weekends included.

Responsibilities include managing staff, ensuring food hygiene, and engaging residents in menu planning and activities. DBS check required; a compassionate, team-oriented chef will thrive here.

Qualifications

• Compassionate and caring nature.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to use IT systems.
• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Strong organisation and planning skills.
• Ability to prepare, cook and present a variety of appetising and nutritious home-made meals.
• An understanding of different diets and ability to cater for individuals with different dietary requirements.
• A flexible approach to working hours.

Responsibilities

• Run and manage the kitchen service and team members.
• Provide home-cooked, nutritious meals and snacks for residents.
• Ensure good food hygiene is maintained and regulatory compliance.
• Work with residents on menu planning and feedback.
• Lead cooking and supervision activities with kitchen staff.

Skills

Strong leadership

Excellent communication

Ability to use IT systems

Strong organisation

Ability to plan

Food preparation and presentation

Caring nature

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Head Chef - Full-Time (40 Hours per Week. Includes alternate weekends)

Location : Delves Court, 2 Walstead Rd, Walsall, West Midlands, WS5 4NZ

Join the Hartford Care Family - Where Every Meal Makes a Difference

Do you love creating home-cooked meals that make people smile? Are you passionate about fresh, nutritious food and want to make a real difference every single day?

At Hartford Care, we’re more than a care provider — we’re a family. We believe in Creating Communities, Caring for Each Other, and Celebrating Individuality. As our Head Chef, you’ll bring warmth, creativity, and heart to every dish you prepare. Not only that you can bring your culinary skills to a role where you do not need to work late into the night.

The Role

As a Head Chef, you will effectively run and manage the kitchen service and team members, provide home-cooked, nutritious and appetising meals and snacks for residents while ensuring good food hygiene is maintained at all times and regulations, and working together as a team to create a happy and caring atmosphere.

Whether you are preparing and cooking a three course meal, discussing with residents what they would like to see on next week’s menu, doing a bread making activity session with residents, or carrying out a supervision with one of the kitchen team members, you will do so with care at the heart of everything you do.

• Do you want to make a difference to someone's life and feel a sense of purpose in an extremely rewarding role?
• Are you an experienced Head Chef who is energetic and passionate about providing exceptional food?
• Do you enjoy producing delicious, home-cooked foods that look and taste good?
• Do you have effective leadership, delegation and prioritising skills and experience of leading a kitchen?
• Are you caring, warm and understanding?
• Are you spontaneous, patient, flexible and have a good sense of humour?
• Do you strongly believe in the values of Creating Communities, Caring for Each Other and Celebrating Individuality?

If your answer is yes to all these questions, why not join our Hartford Care family?

Requirements

Essential

• A compassionate and caring nature
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Excellent communication skills and ability to use IT systems
• Strong management and leadership skills
• Strong organisation and planning skills
• Ability to prepare, cook and present a variety of appetising and nutritious home-made meals
• An understanding of different diets and ability to cater for individuals with different dietary requirements
• A good understanding of ‘what good looks like’ in terms of the dining and food experience
• Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
• A flexible approach to working hours

This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.