How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Chef – Care Home (Full-Time)
Important Notice: We do not offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
At Nicholas James Care Homes, we’re looking for a passionate Chef who enjoys creating nutritious yet enjoyable meals that enhance the daily lives of our residents—particularly those living with dementia.
We see dining as more than just sustenance; it’s an essential part of wellbeing and happiness. This role will bring your culinary expertise to a supportive, people-centred environment, guiding residents toward better health through thoughtful, tailored nutrition.
Why Join Nicholas James Care Homes?
✅ A Family-Focused Culture – A kind, teamwork-driven environment where kindness to residents and staff is paramount.
✅ Meaningful Leadership – Not just cooking; shaping routines and quality of life by fostering joy through food.
✅ Growth & Development – Full onboarding, training, and opportunities to advance within the organisation.
About the Role
As a Chef at our residential care home, you’ll create nourishing, adaptable meals that meet diverse dietary needs—including soft, fortified, or texture-modified diets. Your work directly supports our residents’ wellness, nutrition, and social engagement at mealtimes.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key Responsibilities
- Craft and prepare nutritious, balanced meals from high-quality, seasonal ingredients.
- Develop and refine staff meals that align with residents’ preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Accommodate special diets (e.g., low-sodium, Allergen-controlled, modified textures).
- Uphold food safety & hygiene (HACCP compliance, proper storage, kitchen cleanliness).
- Monitor stock levels to minimise waste while working within budget.
- Enhance the dining experience by engaging participants (staff and residents) in people-centred mealtimes.
- Support kitchen audits and detailed nutritional documentation.
The Ideal Candidate
✔ People-focused – Warm, empathetic, and capable of building strong relationships with residents, even those with dementia.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
✔ Suited to care – Committed to nutrition’s role in senior health and care plans.
✔ Efficient & skilled – Thorough knowledge of kitchen best practices and dietary standards for older adults.
Requirements
Experience & Skills
- Tested experience as a Chef or Cook in a professional kitchen.
- Strong grasp of food hygiene/hazard control (HACCP).
- Ability to customise meals for guests with varying nutritional needs.
- Exceptional collaboration and communication skills.
- Organisational ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
- Mandatory Driving Licence (essential for role-completion).
Qualifications
📚 Preferred:
- City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ in Professional Cookery/ hovered kitchens theory.
- Food Safety Certification (Level 2+).
- Competency in written and spoken English.
- Basic IT for documenting meals (where needed).
Ready to make a difference? Apply today and bring your culinary talent to a care setting where every meal matters.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills