Sous Chef - Bank

NHS; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading elderly care provider in Gravesend is seeking a Sous Chef to support the Head Chef in delivering high-quality meals for residents. The ideal candidate will possess relevant catering qualifications and experience, showcasing compassion and accountability. This role offers flexible working opportunities within a nurturing environment dedicated to exceptional care.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of catering experience required.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment to high-quality culinary services.
• Ability to cover a range of responsibilities at short notice.

Responsibilities

• Support Head Chef in leading culinary team.
• Prepare modified diets according to IDDSI guidance.
• Supervise and direct work of culinary staff.
• Ensure highest hygiene standards in food preparation.

Skills

Catering experience

Compassion

Flexibility

Education

City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ or equivalent

Job description

Job summary

This role as Sous Chef at Avery Healthcare in Gravesend offers a temporary opportunity to support the Head Chef in leading a culinary team that provides high-quality, nutritionally balanced meals for the residents. The successful candidate will have relevant catering experience and qualifications, as well as demonstrate compassion and commitment to exceptional care.

Main duties

As Sous Chef, your focus will be to support the Head Chef in leading a culinary team that provides a nutritionally balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality culinary service, which contributes to the overall well-being of the residents and is achieved within budget. Other responsibilities will include preparing modified diets, supervising and directing the work of culinary staff, and ensuring all food preparation meets the highest hygiene standards.

About us

Avery Healthcare is one of the UK's largest providers of luxury elderly care homes, with a vision of "creating meaningful lives together." They offer exceptional care across their growing network of over 100 homes, building a supportive and inspiring environment where employees feel valued and empowered every day.

Details

Date posted: 21 October 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: £14.81 an hour

Contract: Bank

Working pattern: Flexible working

Reference number: 1405891481

Job locations: Avery Healthcare, Gravesend, DA12 5AL

Job responsibilities

Package Description: At Avery Healthcare, we are all about supporting the people who care for our residents. We know how hard our teams work, and we're here to celebrate and support you every step of the way. When you join us, you'll be making a positive impact on residents' lives every day; your compassion and dedication truly make a difference. We’re committed to helping you grow in a caring, supportive environment, with opportunities to learn and develop throughout your career. And as part of our close-knit team, you’ll experience a culture that values respect, compassion, and a shared commitment to exceptional care. We’re now looking for a warm, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual to join our award-winning team as a Sous Chef. If this sounds like the place for you, we’d love to hear from you!

ABOUT THE ROLE

Your focus as Sous Chef will be to support the Head Chef in leading a culinary team that provides a nutritionally balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality culinary service, which contributes to the overall well-being of the residents and is achieved within budget.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Preparing modified diets that look appealing and are well-balanced and in accordance with IDDSI guidance.
• Supervising and directing the work of culinary staff, as directed by the Head Chef, providing instruction and demonstration to unqualified staff on simple food preparation activities.
• Understanding the principles of safe food handling to ensure that all food preparation undertaken in the kitchen meets the highest hygiene standards.
• Supporting all culinary team members in fully understanding the Avery Food safety management system.

About you

To be successful in your application, you must live our values of caring, support, honesty, respect, and accountability in all that you do.

Our ideal candidate must:

• Hold a relevant catering qualification City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ or equivalent.
• Have a minimum of 1 year of catering experience.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment to the delivery of high-quality culinary services to residents.
• Be able to be adaptive and flexible to cover a range of responsibilities at short notice.

About Avery

At Avery, we’re not just one of the UK’s largest providers of luxury elderly care homes; we’re a place where people love to work. We believe that the later years of life should be as enriching as any other, and we’re passionate about creating meaningful experiences for our residents and our team alike. With our vision of "creating meaningful lives together," we proudly offer exceptional care across our growing network of over 100 homes, building a supportive and inspiring environment where employees feel valued and empowered every day. Join us and see why Avery is the preferred choice for residents and team members alike.

Please note this role will require:

• ADBS Disclosure check, the cost of which will be met by Avery Healthcare.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

This advert may be withdrawn prior to the advertised deadline depending on the volume of applications received and business needs.

Additional disclosures

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 DBS to check for any previous criminal convictions.