Second Chef - Care Home

Barchester Healthcare; Trowbridge; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare provider is seeking a qualified Second Chef to join their team in Trowbridge. In this role, you will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious menus while managing quality food preparation without long shifts. Ideal candidates will have experience with fresh seasonal food, a personable approach to residents, and relevant culinary qualifications. This position offers a supportive environment and opportunities for professional rewards, including bonuses based on quality ratings.

Benefits

Rewarding Excellence bonus up to £500

Generous refer-a-friend scheme

Access to retail and leisure discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Confidential counselling services

Tax code review service

Option to join monthly staff lottery

Qualifications

• Must have a personable and warm approach with genuine interest in wellbeing.
• Required qualification: City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
• Good understanding of nutrition for menu planning.

Responsibilities

• Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef’s absence.
• Assist Head Chef in menu development and audits.
• Create high-quality dishes using fresh produce.

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

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have a better 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 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 deliver person‑centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs driven by quality. Here at Barchester we work with an open, honest, supportive approach where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector‑leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester has proudly been awarded a two‑star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK.

Qualifications

• 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 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 love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be.