Barchester Healthcare
Head Chef - Care Home
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Head Chef - Care Home
Head Chef – Residential Care | Barchester
Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work-life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be!
About the Role
As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will lead teams, design menus, and deliver hotel/restaurant-quality dining within a residential care setting. Unlike traditional roles, you’ll enjoy:
- Work-life balance: 4 or 5 days per week (alternate weekends only)
- Ownership: Full autonomy to create nutritious, flavourful, and balanced menus while taking charge of kitchen operations and team development.
- Professional growth: Ongoing training, the Barchester Chef Academy, and industry-recognised qualifications through our training programmes.
Benefits and Rewards
- Flexible work hours: 4/5 days per week, alternate weekends only ‘Rewarding Excellence’ bonus: Up to £500 for Good or Outstanding CQC inspection outcomes
- Refer a Friend Scheme: Unlimited access, earning up to £500 per successful referral
- Lifestyle discounts: Access to retail and leisure discounts with major brands, supermarkets, and travel companies
- Healthcare support:
- Confidential counselling and legal services (free and accessible)
- Medical specialists on hand for second opinions (no cost)
- Financial wellbeing:
- Tax Code Review Service to ensure you’re on the right payroll code
- Monthly staff lottery nationwide (with colleagues)
- Development & support:
- Industry-recognised apprenticeships for those looking to upskill
- Participation in the Barchester Chef Academy (year-round training in new techniques & leadership)
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Experience and Qualifications
- Proven leadership skills with experience motivating, inspiring, and developing teams
- Passion for fresh, seasonal food with a strong understanding of nutrition and resident wellbeing
- Warm, personable approach to engaging with residents to design personalised, appetising, and nutritious menus
- Ability to creatively empower a warmer, welcoming environment within care homes
- Previous experience working with nutritional guidance (preferably in modified diets, IDDSI framework – training offered for new hires)
- Practical knowledge of HACCP and COSHH for safe kitchen operations
- Familiarity with menu planning for dietary Restrictions & hospital grade dining standards
Preferred qualifications:
- NVQ/SVQ/City & Guilds Diploma in Professional Cookery (or equivalent experience)
Key Responsibilities
- Team leadership: Motivate, develop, and upskill the kitchen and front-of-house teams; mentor junior staff and ensure smooth operations
- Menu development: Craft person-centred, seasonal menus tailored to resident preferences and dietary needs
- High-quality food preparation: Source and prepare fresh, wholesome ingredients to deliver exceptional dining experiences
- From-scratch baking: Daily production of fresh breads, cakes, and scones to elevate meal offerings
- Dining service coordination: Assist in setting up presentation-perfect dining areas in collaboration with the front-of-house team
- Kitchen management:
- Adhere to budget constraints and conduct regular audits & stock control
- HACCP and COSHH compliance to ensure meals are safe, nutritious, and appealing
- Environmental culture: Foster a friendly, engaging, and professional atmosphere; build relationships with residents and staff
- Continuous improvement:
- Oversight of kitchen recruitment and staff retention
- Assist in performance reviews & career development plans
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A Culture of Growth & Recognition
At Barchester, our chefs aren’t just staff—they’re an integral part of delivering exceptional care. We believe in recognising hard work:
- Praise and rewards for excellence in dining service (e.g., CQC inspections)
- Barchester Chef Academy with hands-on, engaging upskilling sessions throughout the year
- 5-star service culture aligned with hotel/restaurant quality standards—because care should come with respect and dignity.
Embark on Your Next Chapter
Are you motivated, dedicated, and driven by making a difference in people’s lives through finely crafted dining? We invite exceptional Head Chefs to join our team and help redefine dining standards in residential care.
Apply today! Terms & conditions apply.*
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