At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, create delicious menus, and ensure high standards of food quality.
- Company: Join Barchester, a company committed to quality care and exceptional dining experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working days, bonuses, discounts, and access to medical specialists.
- Why this job: Experience a fulfilling role with work-life balance and opportunities for personal growth.
- Qualifications: Must have relevant culinary qualifications and experience in leading a team.
- Other info: Be part of the Barchester Chef Academy for ongoing skill development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be!
Your Benefits and Rewards
- Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week
- ‘Rewarding Excellence’ bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
- Unlimited access to our ‘Refer a Friend’ scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
- Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies
- Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it
- Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
- Tax Code Review Service to check you’re on the right code and paying the right level of tax
- Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide
Your Experience and Qualifications
- A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
- Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
- Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team
- Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition
- The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes
- Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
- Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard
- Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
- Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)
Your Role and Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required
- Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality
- Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked of the highest standards
- Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
- Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas
- Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control
- Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
- Ongoing recruitment and retention
- Managing the performance of the kitchen team and front of house
As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development. We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs. Our internal Learning and Development team also offer industry recognised apprenticeships and further qualifications to chefs and hospitality team members who are looking to build upon and/or develop their skills.
Interested? If you are a motivated and dedicated chef who is ready to be part of something special, apply today!
*Terms & conditions apply
Head Chef - Care Home employer: Barchester Healthcare
Contact Detail:
Barchester Healthcare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Care Home
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Barchester's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to quality and high standards will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing that you're a perfect fit for their culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition in conversations. Be prepared to discuss specific dishes you've created and how they cater to dietary needs, as this will demonstrate your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Engage with current or former employees on platforms like LinkedIn. This can provide you with insider knowledge about the work environment and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate a team. Barchester values a warm and personable approach, so think of examples where you've successfully inspired your team in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Care Home
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in leading and motivating a kitchen team, as well as your qualifications like City & Guilds or NVQ. Emphasise your ability to work with fresh seasonal food and your understanding of nutrition.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for creating a warm and welcoming environment for residents. Mention specific examples of how you've developed menus tailored to individual needs and your experience with HACCP and COSHH.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Highlight your experience in managing kitchen teams and front of house staff. Provide examples of how you've inspired and motivated your team, and any successful initiatives you've led that improved kitchen performance.
Demonstrate Your Commitment to Quality: Discuss your approach to maintaining high standards in food preparation and presentation. Mention any relevant training or development you've undertaken, such as participation in chef academies or workshops focused on nutrition and menu development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barchester Healthcare
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and working with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Share specific examples of dishes you've created and how you prioritise nutrition and flavour in your menus.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead and inspire your team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in motivating staff, managing performance, and fostering a positive kitchen environment.
✨Understand the Care Home Environment
Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges of cooking in a care home setting. Highlight your ability to create appetising meals that cater to residents' dietary needs and preferences.
✨Prepare for Menu Development Questions
Expect questions about how you would approach menu development tailored to residents. Think about how you can incorporate their feedback and preferences while maintaining high standards of quality.