Second Chef - Care Home

NHS; Wallingford (CT); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading healthcare provider as a Second Chef, where you will work with fresh seasonal food and help create nutritious menus. Enjoy a better work-life balance while making a meaningful impact on residents' wellbeing. Collaborate with the Head Chef to maintain high standards and manage kitchen operations. This role offers a supportive environment and opportunities for personal growth.

Benefits

Rewarding Excellence bonus up to £500

Unlimited access to refer-a-friend scheme

Retail and leisure discounts

Free access to medical specialists

Confidential counselling and legal services

Tax code review service

Option to participate in staff lottery

Qualifications

• Experience working with fresh seasonal food.
• Good understanding of nutrition.
• Personable approach with genuine interest in resident wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Assist in menu development and manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence.
• Create high-quality dishes using fresh produce.
• Handle stock control and budget management.

Skills

Nutrition Knowledge

Personable Approach

HACCP Understanding

Education

City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ

Job description

This role as a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare offers the opportunity to work with fresh seasonal food and enjoy a better work-life balance, while making a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of residents. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus tailored to residents' preferences. Barchester is a sector-leading healthcare provider committed to delivering high-quality care and creating a warm, supportive environment for employees.

Main duties of the job

As a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare, you will work alongside the Head Chef to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without split shifts and long weeks. Responsibilities include assisting in menu development, working with fresh produce to create high-quality dishes, managing the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, and fostering a warm, efficient, and enjoyable environment. You will also handle stock control, budget management, and regular audits.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a sector-leading provider with 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. They are committed to person-centred hospitality and have received a two-star rating from Best Companies for outstanding quality of care. Recognized for their supportive work environment, they rank among the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies and top 25 Big Companies to Work For in the UK.

Job responsibilities

Are you a qualified Chef seeking to work with fresh seasonal food, with improved work-life balance, and a role where your work makes a difference? As a Second Chef, you will deliver hotel/restaurant standards, assist in menu creation, and work closely with residents to tailor menus. We value warm, motivated, and passionate chefs driven by quality. At Barchester, we prioritize an open, honest, and supportive culture, with quality of care at the core. Our 224 UK locations hold the highest quality ratings, and we are proud to be recognized by Best Companies with a two-star outstanding rating, ranking 11th among health and social care companies and 14th among large UK companies.

Essential qualities include a personable and warm approach, genuine interest in resident wellbeing, City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualifications, good nutrition knowledge, experience with fresh seasonal food, confidence engaging with residents, and a solid understanding of HACCP. Responsibilities include managing the kitchen in the absence of the Head Chef, assisting with menu development, working with fresh produce, creating a welcoming environment, working within budget, completing audits, and controlling stock.

Rewards package

Rewards include a "Rewarding Excellence" bonus of up to £500 for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection, unlimited access to our refer-a-friend scheme earning up to £500 per referral, retail and leisure discounts, free access to medical specialists, confidential counselling and legal services, a tax code review service, and the option to participate in our staff lottery (terms apply).

If you are a passionate Chef eager to be part of a quality-driven company that celebrates life, Barchester is the place for you.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification
• Good understanding of nutrition
• Experience working with fresh seasonal food
• Personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in resident wellbeing
• Good understanding of HACCP

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required to verify absence of criminal convictions.