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Hamberley Care Homes; Bedford; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Quality-linked bonus scheme

Workplace pension

Team culture

Training and career development

Employee assistance programme

Retail discounts

Free on-site parking

Refer a Friend bonus £750

Job summary

Hamberley Care Homes is seeking a Sous Chef for Elstow Manor in Bedford to prepare meals for residents, considering dietary needs and preferences while upholding safety and hygiene standards. You will support the head chef and contribute to a high-quality dining experience in a luxury care home environment.

You must have proven chef experience, food safety knowledge, and the ability to multi-task under pressure in a fast-paced kitchen. A NVQ Level 2 in food preparation is preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a chef, ideally in a care or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices.
• Committed to customer care and first-class service provision.
• Ability to multi-task and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support the head chef in planning and providing high-quality meals.
• Plan, prepare and serve balanced meals meeting dietary requirements.
• Cater to individual preferences and medical needs.
• Maintain high standards of kitchen cleanliness and hygiene.
• Collaborate with care team to ensure enjoyable meal times.
• Deputise for head chef during absences and maintain quality.

Skills

Chef experience

Food safety

Customer care

Multi-tasking

Education

NVQ Level 2 in food preparation

Job description

Sous Chef

At Hamberley, we believe that our residents deserve something ‘Extra Special, Every Day’. We're seeking a Sous Chef to help us achieve our goals.

As our chef, you’ll play a vital role in preparing meals tailored to the dietary needs and preferences of our residents. Ensuring every dish is made with love, supporting the health and happiness of those we care for.

Joining us at Elstow Manor, our luxury care home that provides residential, dementia, and nursing care for older people, you'll be part of a team that is genuinely passionate about the health and well-being of our residents.

We offer our colleagues

• A competitive salary and benefits package
• Quality-linked bonus scheme - A performance bonus tied to our CQC/CI quality rating, rewarding you for helping us deliver outstanding care.
• Workplace pension for your future security
• A true team culture - A collaborative, encouraging working environment where kindness, respect, and professional pride are at the heart of everything we do
• Excellent training and career development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health and wellbeing support services
• Everyday saving perks - Access to a wide range of retail discounts and savings
• Free on-site parking
• Rewarding connections - Refer a Friend bonus — earn up to £750 per successful referral because great people know great people.

What you'll be doing

• You’ll be supporting the head chef in the planning and provision of high-quality meals that meet the nutritional and dietary requirements of our residents.
• Plan, prepare, and serve balanced meals that meet dietary requirements.
• Cater to individual preferences and specific medical needs, such as allergies or soft diets.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the kitchen.
• Collaborate with the care team to ensure meal times are enjoyable and fulfilling.
• To deputise for head chef during periods of absence and maintain high quality food offer at all times

About You:

• Proven experience as a chef, ideally in a care or similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices
• Committed to customer care and first-class service provision
• A recognised and appropriate qualification in food preparation/cooking, at least to NVQ level 2
• Basic certificate in Food hygiene.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety COSHH regulations
• Empathy and a desire to make a difference to the lives of our residents
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and on own initiative in a fast-paced environment

If this sounds like you and you’re looking for a fulfilling role that makes a genuine impact in the lives of others, this rewarding career is for you.

Due to the high level of interest we anticipate for this role, we may close this advert earlier than the stated closing date to manage applications effectively. If you’re interested in joining us at Hamberley, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

About Elstow Manor

Elstow Manor is a luxurious care home in Bedford, part of the award-winning Hamberley Care Homes – offering luxury care homes in beautiful locations throughout the UK. Residents live in spacious, stylish ensuite rooms, and enjoy beautifully furnished shared spaces and landscaped gardens. From the deluxe picture house – where we screen classic films – to the on-site luxury spa – offering hairdressing, manicures and relaxing therapies – everything has been designed and finished with the care and attention you would expect from a 5-star hotel.

We respect and value our residents and each other. At Hamberley Care Homes, we believe in the importance of what we do and why we do it. Creative and empowered, our people see every day as an opportunity for growth and development. We make ideas happen. Together we can achieve anything.

Be part of something special. Be part of Hamberley.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Company: Hamberley Care Homes Salary: £33,974.42 to £33,974.424 a year Hours: Full-time Location: Bedford, MK42 6FZ Job type: Permanent Posting date: 8 Sept 2026 Closing date: 7 Oct 2026