Second Chef Bank

Care UK Plc; Walton-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care home provider in the UK is seeking a dedicated Second Chef to join their team. This role involves running the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, developing diet-sensitive meals, and ensuring high culinary standards. Candidates should have relevant qualifications in catering and food safety. Join a company that values innovation and provides extensive training and employee support in a rewarding environment.

Benefits

Competitive rates of pay

Career progression opportunities

Free training and development

Cycle-to-work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Catering Diploma and NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery are essential.
• Minimum level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate is required.
• Good knowledge of nutritionally balanced menu planning is needed.

Responsibilities

• Control kitchen operations in absence of Head Chef.
• Develop inclusive, diet-sensitive meals using fresh local produce.
• Consult with residents to meet dietary needs and preferences.

Skills

Nutritionally balanced menu planning

Ability to cater for dietary needs

Team collaboration

Culinary innovation

Education

Catering Diploma (City & Guilds / BTEC)

NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery

Food Hygiene Certificates – minimum level 2

Job description

You're an aspiring chef with experience gained in a high‑paced kitchen environment and looking for a rewarding role offering great training, work‑life balance and the chance to be part of an award‑winning catering team. Join Care UK as a Second Chef and make a real difference.

Second Chef at Care UK

Second Chefs at Care UK are collaborative, information‑sharing, high‑motivated, flexible, enthusiastic and ready to take responsibility for resolving issues that arise. They enjoy raising standards through culinary development, innovation, and new ideas, and have the autonomy to create nutritious, well‑balanced menus for everyone using a large supply chain and modern kitchen equipment.

What you’ll be doing

Being a Second Chef isn’t just about helping the Head Chef ensure food meets the agreed standard and deadlines. It’s about taking control of running the kitchen in their absence; using fresh local produce to develop fully‑inclusive, diet‑sensitive meals for residents; consulting with residents to meet their needs and choices; and preparing food in line with specific diets. Simply put, it’s about making a real difference.

What you’ll need

• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds / BTEC)
• NVQ 2/3 in practical cookery and Health and Safety
• Food Hygiene Certificates – minimum level 2
• Good knowledge of nutritionally balanced menu planning
• Proven ability to cater for specific dietary needs
• Experience in a care home and/or stock control or working with a budget (not essential)

Above all, you should have a natural ability to help make the lives of others more fulfilling and want to work in an environment where the work can be hard, but also fun and rewarding.

The benefits

• Alternate weekend working and socially working hours
• Competitive rates of pay – continuously reviewed in your local market
• Opportunities to progress through personalised career paths into Head Chef roles
• Competitive referral scheme up to £1000 depending on role
• Quality and free training to develop and enhance your skills
• Bank holiday enhancements
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Free DBS
• Thousands of online and in‑store discounts across big known retailers, enabling colleagues to save on everyday shopping, holidays, supermarkets and travel
• Employee Assistance Programme – immediate access to confidential telephone counselling and legal information service available 24 h a day, 365 days a year, including support such as financial and family concerns

About Care UK

One of the UK’s leading care home providers, Care UK runs over 120 homes and day clubs across the UK that provide residential, nursing, dementia and end‑of‑life care for older people. A top‑rated employer in best quality results, our goal is to help every employee fulfil their potential by providing first‑class training and support.

Fulfilling lives, Fulfilling Careers.