Head Chef in Harwell

Have you ever imagined being a Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager and still having a great social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef/ Kitchen Manager while maintaining a great life outside of work. You will be leading an established kitchen team overseeing the preparation of large-scale meals for the Staff, Residents and Visitors. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, as you provide guidance and training to support your team.

There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year which you will also cater for - world food day, Christmas, Easter, family days, four weekly themed events and Resident Choice days. In other words, plenty of chance to be creative and make a difference. It’s a calm and pleasurable working environment, where you’ll be able to manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. There’s a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly.

You and your catering team will run the kitchen to a great standard, ensuring a smooth operation with a clean kitchen. Just imagine… great job satisfaction, home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week. Now that’s a recipe for a great work-life combination.

• Coordinating the day-to-day management of the catering team to run an efficient food production service.
• Ensuring that the catering service meets the nutritional and dietary needs of the service users.
• Ensuring the catering service provides meals to Residents, Staff and Visitors in accordance with the Company policies and procedures.
• Taking the lead in the production of a menu plan, providing a varied diet within budgetary restraints.
• Ensuring that any maintenance and servicing of catering equipment or the environment is reported to Maintenance Manager.
• Seek feedback - Resident Surveys.
• Responding to any reported complaints or incidents, assisting with investigation and referring any unresolved complaints.
• Responsible for stock management (four weekly) and equipment in the production areas, reporting issues or concerns.
• Managing efficient staff rotas, planning agency and overtime cover and ensuring absences are covered within agreed budgets.
• Assisting in the completion of monthly audits of the catering provision to ensure standards are maintained.
• Regular meetings with other Head Chefs/ Kitchen Managers, Hospitality Development Manager.
• Involvement with menu creation, and implementing on your site.
• Chef of the Year Competition.
• You will work alongside the multidisciplinary service to promote great food service.

• GCSE or equivalent English.
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent).
• Basic Food Preparation Cooking.
• Basic Food Hygiene (essential).
• Intermediate Food hygiene (desirable).
• Previous experience in a similar environment.
• Management/Supervisory Qualification.
• Previous experience in delivering a service en masse.
• Menu Planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget experience.

• Hourly Rate of £18ph.
• 5.6 weeks Annual Leave inclusive of Bank Holidays pro rata per hours worked.
• Free parking.
• Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a great work-life balance.
• Career development and training to help you achieve your career goals.
• Pension contribution to secure your future (optional).
• There is also a range of other benefits including retail discounts, special offers and much more.

You will be working for an established, agile company with over 2,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 36 services across England and Scotland. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of Residents.