Senior Chef | Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust

IMPERIAL COLLEGE HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London is seeking a Senior Chef to oversee food preparation for patients and staff. Responsibilities include menu planning, staff training, and ensuring high food quality and safety. Ideal candidates should have experience in kitchen management and knowledge of dietary requirements. Benefits include career development and flexible working options.

Benefits

Career development

Flexible working

Staff recognition scheme

Onsite leisure facilities membership options

Qualifications

• Experience in supervising kitchen operations and food service.
• Strong knowledge of dietary restrictions and nutrition.
• Ability to train and manage kitchen staff effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee food preparation and service for patients and staff.
• Plan and develop menus in collaboration with dietitians.
• Train kitchen staff and manage daily kitchen operations.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.

Skills

Food safety compliance

Menu planning

Staff training

Dietary requirement knowledge

Team management

Job description

Job Overview

The successful applicant will be responsible for supporting the kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that meet patients’ medical and dietary requirements. This role involves planning balanced menus with dietitians, ensuring compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations, and maintaining exceptional standards of taste, presentation, and nutrition. The Senior Chef will support the kitchen operations, staff training, stock control, and budgeting while supporting patient well‑being through nutritious, appealing food that enhances the hospital’s standard of care.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of food preparation and service to ensure the delivery of nutritious, high‑quality, and appetising meals that meet the specific dietary and medical needs of patients, doctors, staff when required and visitors.
• Plan, develop, and implement varied menus in consultation with dietitians and healthcare professionals, ensuring compliance with food safety, hygiene, and nutritional standards.
• Accommodate individual dietary restrictions, allergies, and texture modifications while maintaining menu variety and appeal.
• Train, and motivate kitchen staff, managing daily operations efficiently and promoting teamwork, professionalism, and high performance.
• Maintain strict cost control, manage stock and ordering processes, and ensure portion accuracy to support budgetary requirements.
• Supervise food production to guarantee consistency, quality, and presentation, ensuring full adherence to infection control and hygiene regulations.
• Collaborate with clinical and administrative teams to support patient wellbeing through nutritious and enjoyable meals.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, audits, and inspections to uphold regulatory and organisational standards.
• Foster a safe, positive, and compliant working environment that promotes continuous learning and development among catering staff.
• Use creativity, leadership, and attention to detail to deliver an exceptional dining experience that enhances the overall standard of care within the healthcare facility.

At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.

Become part of a vibrant team living our values – expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.

Benefits

Career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Optional benefits include Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.

We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share.