Headchef

The College of St Barnabas; Lingfield; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant grade meals? (none provided

Job summary

The College of St Barnabas in Lingfield is seeking a Head Chef for an on-site role within its care community. You will plan balanced menus, cook meals, and ensure residents' dietary needs are met with care and creativity.

You will supervise kitchen staff, organise rotas, manage stock and orders, monitor budget and uphold high standards of hygiene and food safety while collaborating with care teams to align meals with daily activities and special events.

Qualifications

• Requires professional culinary training or equivalent experience.
• Strong menu planning and food preparation skills, including dietary considerations.
• Thorough knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety regulations, with relevant certifications.
• Leadership and team management abilities including scheduling and training.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with attention to stock and cost control.
• Clear communication and resident-focused approach with care staff.

Responsibilities

• Plan balanced menus and prepare meals.
• Cook meals to meet dietary requirements and preferences of residents.
• Supervise kitchen staff and organize rotas.
• Manage stock, ordering and cost-conscious menu planning.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, safety and presentation.
• Collaborate with care staff and management to align meals with events.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Menu planning

Food hygiene & safety

Staff leadership

Budgeting / stock control

Communication with care staff

Education

Culinary training

Job description

Company Description

The College of St Barnabas is a charitable foundation offering supported living and residential care within 10 acres of tranquil Surrey countryside. Established at the end of the 19th century, it provides a welcoming home for retired Christians from across the country. The College is committed to high standards of care, comfort, and dignity, with a strong sense of community and pastoral support. Team members join a close-knit environment where residents’ wellbeing, respect, and spiritual life are central to daily work.

Role Description

The Head Chef is a full-time, on-site role based in Lingfield, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the kitchen and food service. Day-to-day tasks include planning balanced menus, preparing and cooking meals, and ensuring dietary requirements and preferences of residents are met with care and creativity. The role involves supervising kitchen staff, organizing rotas, managing stock and ordering supplies, and maintaining budget awareness. The Head Chef ensures high standards of food hygiene, safety, and presentation, regularly monitoring kitchen cleanliness and compliance with regulations. Collaboration with care staff and management is required to align meal times and special events with residents’ needs and the wider life of the College.

Qualifications

• Professional culinary training or equivalent experience, with proven background as a Head Chef or senior chef in a care, hospitality, or similar setting.
• Strong menu planning and food preparation skills, including experience with nutritious, traditional, and special-diet meals (e.g., allergies, texture-modified, cultural or religious requirements).
• Thorough knowledge of food hygiene, health and safety regulations, and compliance standards, holding relevant food safety certifications.
• Leadership and team management abilities, including staff supervision, training, scheduling, and fostering a respectful, collaborative kitchen culture.
• Effective organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail in stock control, ordering, and cost-conscious menu planning.
• Clear communication skills and a courteous, resident-focused approach, comfortable working closely with care staff and engaging positively with residents.
• Experience in residential or healthcare catering is desirable; understanding of the needs of older adults and a supportive attitude toward the