Second Chef - Care Home

Barchester Healthcare; Kettering; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellence bonus up to £500

Refer a friend scheme up to £500

Retail and leisure discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Confidential counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Monthly staff lottery participation

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare in Kettering is looking for a qualified Second Chef to join their team. You will assist the Head Chef in crafting nutritious and delicious menus and manage kitchen operations during their absence. This role emphasizes creating a warm and engaging atmosphere for residents.

Ideal candidates will have an understanding of nutrition, experience with seasonal food, and must hold relevant qualifications. The position offers a full-time contract of 40 hours per week, with numerous benefits including bonuses and access to discounts.

Qualifications

• Warm and personable approach towards residents.
• Solid understanding of nutrition and dietary needs.
• Experience with fresh seasonal ingredients.

Responsibilities

• Manage the kitchen in the absence of the Head Chef.
• Assist in developing nutritious and appealing menus.
• Ensure high-quality standards while cooking.

Skills

Personable and warm approach

Good understanding of nutrition

Experience with fresh seasonal food

Confidence engaging with residents

Understanding of HACCP

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Full time contract 40hrs per week.

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food and achieve a better work‑life balance? As a Second Chef at Barchester, you will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well‑balanced menus, tailoring them to residents’ needs, and manage the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence. We seek warm, motivated and passionate chefs driven by quality.

Requirements

• A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
• Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
• A good understanding of nutrition
• Experience of working with fresh seasonal food
• The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home
• Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
• Good understanding of HACCP

Responsibilities

• Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence
• Assist Head Chef in menu development
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked to the highest quality and standards
• Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
• Work within budget
• Complete regular audits
• Manage stock control

Benefits

• Rewarding Excellence bonus – financially rewarded up to £500 for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
• Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500 per referral
• Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets
• Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if needed
• Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
• Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax
• Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UK
• *Terms & conditions apply

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who loves to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be.