Kitchen Chef

Gurkha Services Ltd; Hampshire Township (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible shifts

Development opportunities

Job summary

Gurkha Services Ltd is seeking a Kitchen Chef to join our care-home catering team, preparing nutritious meals for residents with special dietary needs. You will ensure food safety and high hygiene standards, while delivering balanced, appealing menus.

Ideal candidates have professional cooking experience in care homes or healthcare settings. Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety is required, with IDDSI training preferred.

Qualifications

• Professional cooking experience in a care home, healthcare, education, or hospitality setting
• Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (including IDDSI training)
• Good understanding of dietary requirements and food safety

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs and special diets
• Ensure meals are balanced, well-presented, and meet portion requirements
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organised kitchen at all times
• Adhere to food hygiene, infection control, and health & safety standards
• Manage stock levels, monitor supplies, and support with ordering
• Work alongside care and management teams to ensure all nutritional requirements are met
• Support, mentor, or oversee kitchen assistants and catering staff when required

Skills

Cooking

Dietary requirements

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (including IDDSI training)

Job description

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Kitchen Chef to join our catering team, preparing high-quality, nutritious meals for residents in care homes. You will play a vital role in ensuring residents’ dietary and nutritional needs are met, while maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards.

This role is ideal for an experienced chef with a passion for cooking and the ability to adapt meals for specialist diets within a healthcare environment.

About the Role

Meal Preparation & Cooking

• Prepare and cook a variety of meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs, including special diets (e.g. IDDSI texture-modified diets, diabetic, allergy-specific).
• Ensure meals are balanced, well-presented, and meet portion requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organised kitchen at all times.
• Adhere to food hygiene, infection control, and health & safety standards.
• Manage stock levels, monitor supplies, and support with ordering.
• Work alongside care and management teams to ensure all nutritional requirements are met.
• Support, mentor, or oversee kitchen assistants and catering staff when required.

Compliance & Documentation

• Complete all required kitchen records (temperature logs, cleaning schedules, compliance forms).
• Follow company policies, environmental health regulations, and care sector standards.

Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (including IDDSI training)
• Basic Health & Safety training
• Professional cooking experience in a care home, healthcare, education, or hospitality setting

Preferred (Training Provided if Needed):

• Experience with care sector dietary requirements

Personal Qualities

• Passion for creating fresh, nutritious meals
• Reliable, well-organised, and able to work independently
• Adaptable to different dietary requirements and menu changes
• Strong teamwork and communication skills

Salary & Benefits

• Flexible shift patterns across multiple care homes in Hampshire
• Support with further professional development
• Potential progression into a permanent role with our client, depending on performance and demonstrated potential