Second Chef - Care Home

NHS; Rayleigh; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in healthcare is seeking a passionate Second Chef to join its team. This role offers the chance to work in a nurturing environment, delivering high-quality meals while ensuring a healthy work-life balance. You will collaborate with the Head Chef to create seasonal menus tailored to residents' preferences, manage kitchen operations in their absence, and maintain a warm atmosphere. If you are driven by quality and have a genuine interest in enhancing residents' dining experiences, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a team that values your contributions and celebrates culinary excellence.

Benefits

Rewarding Excellence bonus

Refer a friend scheme

Retail and leisure discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Confidential counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Monthly staff lottery

Qualifications

• Experience in creating nutritious and flavorful menus is essential.
• Must have a warm approach and genuine interest in resident wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Assist Head Chef in developing and executing high-quality menus.
• Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence and maintain stock control.
• Create a warm and efficient environment for residents.

Skills

Personable and warm approach

Understanding of nutrition

Experience with fresh seasonal food

Confidence engaging with residents

Good understanding of HACCP

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

The Second Chef role at Barchester Healthcare offers an opportunity to work in a care home setting, delivering high-quality, nutritious meals to residents while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head Chef to create seasonal menus and provide a warm, welcoming environment for the residents.

Main duties of the job

As a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare, you will assist the Head Chef in developing and executing nutritious, flavorsome, and well-balanced menus. You will work with fresh, seasonal produce to deliver hotel/restaurant-quality dishes, while also tailoring the menus to the preferences and needs of the residents. The role requires a personable and warm approach, a good understanding of nutrition, and experience working with fresh, seasonal ingredients. You will manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, complete regular audits, and maintain stock control, all while working within a budget to create a warm, efficient, and fun environment.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading healthcare provider in the UK, operating 224 homes and hospitals across the country. The company is driven by a commitment to quality care and has been recognized for its exceptional employee experience, earning a two-star outstanding rating from Best Companies and ranking among the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for in the UK.

Date posted

14 March 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£14.10 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1259964486

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare, Rayleigh, SS6 9XH

Job responsibilities

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work-life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person-centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated, and passionate chefs who are driven by quality.

NEED TO HAVE

• 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

NEED TO DO

• 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 at the highest quality and standards
• Create a warm, efficient, and fun environment
• Work within budget
• Complete regular audits
• Manage stock control

REWARDS PACKAGE

Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by 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 you need it to make a decision with confidence. 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.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/