Head Chef

Head Chef

Chelmsford Full-Time 30000 - 42000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create delicious, nutritious meals for our residents.
  • Company: Join Sanders Senior Living, a luxury care home group focused on personalised care and wellbeing.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 28 days paid holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and career progression opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering high-quality meals in a supportive, innovative environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in catering, food hygiene certification, and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Full autonomy in menu creation and no split shifts or long hours!

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.

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Care Home: Grace Court

Hours per week: 40 hours a week

Salary: To be confirmed

About the role:

We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our Hospitality team. Working as a Head Chef at Sanders Senior Living, you will have the chance to deliver hotel and restaurant standard meals without the split shifts and long hours. Our Head Chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus, whilst liaising with residents to ensure they are involved in the menu creations. We are looking for a warm, motivated, and passionate Head Chef who is driven by quality and high standards, to deliver person-centred hospitality to our residents.

Benefits of working with Sanders Senior Living:

  • 28 days Paid Holiday
  • Pension Scheme
  • Blue Light Card and access to various other discounts on travel, restaurants, days out and leisure
  • Employee Assistance Scheme that is also available to immediate family members
  • Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
  • Free DBS Check and uniform
  • Funding and support towards obtaining NVQ Level 1 and 2 in Health and Social Care
  • Opportunities to progress your career within the company
  • Free, on-site parking
  • Employee of the Month awards

Key responsibilities:

  • Work within the agreed company budget.
  • Ensure all kitchen staff are trained on dish specification and budget control.
  • Manage the stock in the kitchen.
  • Inspire and motivate the team to achieve food to specification and therefore ensure satisfaction of our residents.
  • Lead by example, setting the pace and standards.
  • Meet monthly with the management team to ensure dietary requirements for all residents are met.
  • Train and develop the team to deliver food to specification and exceed residents expectations.
  • Ensure all food is cooked to a safe temperature and is taste tested before serving.
  • Ensure that the storage of food meets company and statutory health and safety requirements.
  • Deliver the company kitchen standards as identified on the kitchen audit.
  • Implement and ensure the company Health and Safety policy is met at all times this includes the training of all kitchen staff.

About you:

The successful Head Chef will have relevant experience within a catering environment. You will have a secure understanding of special dietary and nutritional requirements, and be able to implement methods to ensure these needs are met. You will also have your Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene certificate, and a full understanding of H.A.C.C.P. You will be responsible for ensuring this is adhered to, and all relevant documentation is completed. Additionally, you will have experience in achieving food margins, and writing and planning menus with costing. As a Head Chef, you will possess excellent leadership skills, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

About Sanders Senior Living:

Sanders Senior Living is a luxury care home group with state-of-the-art residences brimming with premium facilities and exceptional services. Optimum health and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. And we do it with a difference. Our commitment to delivering personalised care is at the core of our mission, as we strive to celebrate the lives of each and every one of our residents. At Sanders Senior Living, we prioritise the professional development of our staff by investing in comprehensive internal, external, and e-training programs at all levels. This dedication to continuous learning and growth ensures that our team is equipped to provide the highest quality of care to our residents. As we look towards the future, our reputation for delivering innovative care for individuals living with dementia continues to flourish. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of care excellence and setting new standards in the industry.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of adults. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

You can apply for this role by completing our short application form or by visiting the home where one of our team can help you.

Head Chef employer: Sanders Senior Living

At Sanders Senior Living, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering our Head Chefs the unique opportunity to create high-quality, nutritious meals in a supportive and collaborative environment. With a strong focus on employee development, comprehensive training, and a commitment to work-life balance, our team enjoys a fulfilling career while making a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents. Located in a state-of-the-art care home, we foster a warm and inclusive culture that values each team member's contributions and encourages personal growth.
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Contact Detail:

Sanders Senior Living Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs of the residents at Grace Court. Understanding their preferences and requirements will not only help you in menu planning but also show your commitment to person-centred hospitality during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Highlight your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Be ready to discuss how you inspire and motivate staff to achieve high standards, as this is crucial for the Head Chef role.

✨Tip Number 3

Research the latest trends in nutrition and meal preparation, especially in a care home setting. Being knowledgeable about current practices can set you apart and demonstrate your passion for delivering quality meals.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience with budget management and food costing. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully maintained food margins while ensuring quality, as this is a key responsibility of the Head Chef position.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef

Menu Planning
Food Safety Management
Leadership Skills
Team Motivation
Budget Management
Communication Skills
Nutritional Knowledge
Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene Certificate
H.A.C.C.P. Compliance
Stock Management
Quality Control
Training and Development
Creativity in Menu Design
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head Chef position. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, such as menu planning and dietary needs.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in catering and leadership. Emphasise your skills in menu planning, food hygiene, and team management, ensuring they align with the expectations outlined by Sanders Senior Living.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for quality food and hospitality. Mention your experience with special dietary requirements and how you can contribute to creating a positive dining experience for residents.

Complete the Application Form: When filling out the online application form, ensure all sections are completed accurately. Double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and provide detailed information about your qualifications and experience.

How to prepare for a job interview at Sanders Senior Living

✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion

During the interview, express your love for cooking and how it drives you to create exceptional meals. Share specific examples of dishes you've created that reflect your creativity and attention to detail.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your leadership experience by discussing how you've motivated and trained kitchen staff in the past. Provide examples of how you've inspired your team to meet high standards.

✨Understand Dietary Needs

Familiarise yourself with special dietary requirements and nutritional needs relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you would accommodate these needs in your menu planning and food preparation.

✨Discuss Budget Management

Since managing the kitchen budget is crucial, be ready to talk about your experience with cost control and achieving food margins. Share strategies you've used to maintain quality while staying within budget.

Head Chef
Sanders Senior Living
Location: Chelmsford
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