Senior Chef

Lambwood Heights; Chigwell; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal per shift

Enhanced Bank Holiday pay

Uniform provided

Increased annual leave

Cycle to work scheme

Extra time off for milestone birthdays

Staff sick pay

Refer a Friend scheme

Recognition initiatives

Long service awards

Health Cash Plan

Death in Service Benefit

Job summary

Lambwood Heights is seeking a Senior Chef to join the friendly team, assisting the Head Chef in delivering nutritious meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs. The role emphasises high standards of hygiene, safety, and collaborative kitchen operations in a care environment.

You will supervise kitchen staff, manage stock, and ensure timely service across a 40-hour week, with days on a 5/7 shift pattern. DBS checks and safeguarding principles apply.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Chef or Chef de Partie in care or similar setting.
• Passion for producing high-quality, nutritious meals.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements in a care setting.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 3 desirable).
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in planning and preparing nutritious, appetising meals.
• Support the delivery of varied menus that cater for special diets, allergies, and cultural preferences.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, health and safety, and infection control standards.
• Supervise kitchen staff and support the day-to-day running of the kitchen.
• Monitor food stock levels and assist with ordering and stock control.
• Ensure all meals are served on time and to a high standard.
• Help maintain accurate records in line with CQC and food safety requirements.
• Promote a positive and collaborative working environment.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Organizational skills

Resident-focused care

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate desirable

Job description

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Chef to join our friendly team. Working alongside the Head Chef, you will help deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that support the health and wellbeing of our residents.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who enjoys making a real difference through food, ensuring every resident receives meals that are both enjoyable and tailored to their individual dietary needs.

We offersome excellent rewards and benefits including:

• We offer all team members 1 freemeal per shift.
• EnhancedBank Holiday pay.
• Uniform provided.
• Increased Annual Leave entitlement - team members who work with us for 3 years or more, get extra annual leave.
• Cycle to Work scheme – why not save money on commuting costs and improve your health at the same time.
• Milestone Birthdays - get EXTRA time off to celebratethat special birthday.
• Company sickpay which is over and above the statutory entitlement (subjectto length of service).
• Refer a FriendScheme for successfulreferrals- for all permanentroles within Oakland Care (T&C's apply).
• Recognition and staff appreciation initiatives.
• Long service awards.
• Health Cash Plan (subject to T&Cs).
• Death in Service Benefit (subject to T&Cs).

And much more.

Location: Lambwood Heights, 244 Lambourne Road, Chigwell IG7 6HX

Hours: 40 hours per week

Pay: £18.00 per hour

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Shift: Days (5 days across 7, includes some weekends)

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Head Chef in planning and preparing nutritious, appetising meals.
• Support the delivery of varied menus that cater for special diets, allergies, and cultural preferences.
• Maintain excellent food hygiene, health and safety, and infection control standards.
• Supervise kitchen staff and support the day-to-day running of the kitchen.
• Monitor food stock levels and assist with ordering and stock control.
• Ensure all meals are served on time and to a high standard.
• Help maintain accurate records in line with CQC and food safety requirements.
• Promote a positive and collaborative working environment.

About You

We are looking for someone who has:

• Previous experience as a Chef, Chef de Partie, or similar role.
• A passion for producing high-quality, nutritious food.
• Knowledge of dietary requirements within a care setting.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 3 desirable).
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively within a team and independently.
• A caring, compassionate, and resident-focused approach.

If you are a dedicated chef who takes pride in creating exceptional meals and would like to join a team that values care, compassion, and quality, we would love to hear from you.

Oakland Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will be subject to appropriate employment and DBS checks.