Head Chef

Willing Care Recruitment Limited; Nebraska; On-site; USD 53,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced bank holiday rates

Training and development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Company pension scheme

Employee benefits portal

Beautiful, luxury working environment

Job summary

Willing Care Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Head Chef for a luxury nursing home that prioritises a restaurant‑quality dining experience for residents. You will lead the kitchen team, shape menus and ensure meals meet nutritional and dietary requirements in a compliant, safe environment.

You will manage budgets, supplier relationships and maintain food safety standards while delivering creative, flavourful dishes that enhance residents’ daily dining experience.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Head Chef, delivering restaurant-quality meals in care settings.
• Experience working in a nursing/care home environment is highly desirable.
• Strong skills in nutrition, oral texture modification and allergen management.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day kitchen operations and maintain high culinary standards.
• Inspire, manage and develop the catering team.
• Design seasonal menus delivering restaurant-quality dining for residents.

Skills

Head Chef experience

Care home experience

Menu design & development

Nutrition for older adults

Budget management

Leadership & people management

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene

Job description

Luxury Nursing Home | Fine Dining Standards | Excellent Benefits

This stunning, purpose-built luxury nursing home prides itself on delivering an exceptional standard of care, with the dining experience at the heart of everyday life. From beautifully presented meals to thoughtfully created menus, the home is committed to providing a restaurant-quality dining experience that residents can genuinely look forward to.

We're looking for an experienced and creative Head Chef who can bring fresh ideas, exceptional culinary standards and strong leadership to the kitchen. You'll have the freedom to influence menus, lead a dedicated catering team and ensure every meal combines quality, flavour and nutritional value.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate chef who takes pride in their work and understands the importance of making mealtimes a highlight of residents' days.

What's On Offer

• Enhanced bank holiday rates
• Training and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Company pension scheme
• Employee benefits and rewards portal
• Beautiful, purpose-built luxury working environment

Leading the Kitchen

• Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, maintaining exceptional culinary and presentation standards
• Lead, motivate and develop the catering team, creating a positive and professional working environment
• Design and deliver creative, seasonal menus that provide a restaurant-quality dining experience
• Prepare beautifully presented, nutritious meals tailored to residents' individual preferences and dietary requirements
• Cater confidently for specialist diets, modified textures, allergies and nutritional needs
• Ensure accurate allergen management and maintain the highest standards of food safety
• Manage kitchen budgets, ordering, stock control, food costs and supplier relationships
• Maintain full compliance with food hygiene, HACCP, COSHH and health and safety regulations
• Oversee kitchen documentation, temperature records, cleaning schedules and food safety procedures
• Work closely with the care and management teams to ensure residents' nutritional needs and preferences are consistently met
• Encourage resident feedback and introduce fresh ideas to continually enhance the dining experience

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, and verification of the right to work in the UK, in line with safeguarding responsibilities.

Reference: WILL272633/JJ

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience working as a Head Chef – essential
• Experience within a nursing home, care home or similar environment – highly desirable
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality, restaurant-standard meals
• Strong understanding of nutrition for older adults, specialist diets and allergen management
• Experience creating varied, seasonal menus that balance presentation, flavour and nutritional requirements
• Confidence managing kitchen operations, budgets, stock control and food costs
• Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification preferred
• Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP and health and safety regulations
• Excellent leadership, organisation and communication skills
• A creative, passionate and hands-on approach with exceptional attention to detail