Senior Chef

Oakland Care; Chigwell; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meal per shift

Bank holiday pay

Uniform provided

Additional annual leave

Cycle to work scheme

Extra time off for birthdays

Sick pay

Refer a Friend scheme

Recognition and staff appreciation

Long service awards

Health Cash Plan

Death in Service Benefit

Job summary

Oakland Care is seeking a Senior Chef to join our caring team at Lambwood Heights, Chigwell. You will work with the Head Chef to deliver nutritious, appetising meals tailored to residents' dietary needs and preferences.

We value a proactive, team-focused chef who can manage stock, uphold high hygiene standards, and support daily kitchen operations in a 40-hour week. DBS checks apply, and a commitment to resident wellbeing is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Chef or similar role.
• 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.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently.
• Caring, compassionate, and resident-focused approach.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Organisational skills

Caring approach

Food preparation

Dietary knowledge

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

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.