Head Chef – Care Home

Benefits

• Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week
• Rewarding Excellence bonus up to £500 for a good or outstanding CQC inspection
• Refer a Friend scheme, earning up to £500 per referral
• Discounts with major retail, leisure, supermarket and travel partners
• Free access to medical specialists and second opinions
• Confidential free access to counselling and legal services
• Tax code review service to ensure correct tax rate
• Monthly staff lottery option across the nation

Qualifications

• Hold City & Guilds, NVQ, SVQ or equivalent
• Experience leading, motivating and inspiring a team
• Experience working with fresh seasonal food and nutrition
• Ability to create a warm, welcoming environment within homes
• Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising, nutritious menus
• Experience supporting a front‑of‑house team to maintain high restaurant standards
• Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
• Knowledge of modified diets using the IDDSI framework (training provided if new)

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and inspire the kitchen and front‑of‑house team; manage performance and develop staff
• Menu development tailored to residents, ensuring person‑centred hospitality and nutrition
• Work with fresh produce to deliver high‑quality, wholesome dishes to the highest standards
• Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
• Assist front‑of‑house in setting up dining areas
• Work within budget; conduct regular audits and manage stock control
• Create a warm, efficient and enjoyable environment
• Oversee ongoing recruitment, retention and team development
• Deliver hotel/restaurant standards without split shifts or long hours
• Support the Barchester Chef Academy and share knowledge with others across the business
• Participate in year‑round learning and development initiatives, including apprenticeships and further qualifications

About the Role

As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have full autonomy to create nutritious, flavoursome, and well‑balanced menus while owning the kitchen and ongoing team development. The role offers a balanced schedule, full autonomy, and opportunities for continuous learning through the Chef Academy and industry‑recognised training programmes.

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