At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen teams to deliver exceptional dining experiences for residents across our care homes.
- Company: Athena Care Homes, a family-owned business dedicated to compassionate care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 28 days holiday, and professional growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through quality food and hospitality.
- Qualifications: Experience as a multi-sited Head Chef and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible bank contract with potential for full-time hours and travel across locations.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
As a Bank Head Chef at Athena Care Homes, you will be responsible for supporting the kitchen teams across our 7 care homes to provide an outstanding hospitality service to our residents. Athena’s values of empathy, respect, and individualized care are at the heart of our dining experience. As Bank Group Chef, you’ll guide our chefs to engage with residents in the dining areas, ensuring top‑quality service from kitchen to table.
About the role
Reporting to the Head of Culinary & Hospitality, the Bank Head Chef will work closely with the Head Chefs and wider kitchen teams to support the delivery of an exceptional dining service to our residents. This will include enhancing menus, exceeding food safety and hygiene standards, and inspiring the teams to make an impact in the lives of our residents.
Salary Competitive.
Shift Pattern
This is a bank contract, 0‑hours per week, but you could be offered up to full‑time hours depending on the needs of the business.
Location
This is a regional role and you will be working from any one of our 7 locations, and will be expected to travel to all locations in accordance with your role.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead and develop the kitchen teams to deliver an outstanding catering service.
- Review and develop good catering practices, including food safety and hygiene standards.
- Lead dining checks across homes to support quality and regulatory compliance.
- Support the kitchen teams to promote choice and dignity for the residents, and ensure the nutritional content of the meals meets all dietary needs.
- Travel to all locations to provide support during periods of absence and annual leave.
Training, Skills & Experience Required
- Experience as a multi‑sited Head Chef is essential.
- Experience in a care environment is advantageous.
- Proven track record for leading, empowering, supporting and motivating a team.
- Full UK driving licence, access to a vehicle and the ability to travel between the listed locations is essential.
- Valid right to work in the UK is required; we are unable to offer sponsorship.
What we can offer
- Fully comprehensive induction.
- Competitive salary.
- 28 days of holiday per year.
- Free Blue Light Card & access to the Blue Light discount platform.
- Professional growth through mentoring, sharing best practices and contributing to exceptional resident care and dining experiences.
- Refer a friend scheme.
About Athena
Athena Care Homes are a family‑run business with seven homes across East Anglia, located in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, Kings Lynn (West Norfolk) and Ipswich (Suffolk). We aim to be the first choice for high‑quality residential, nursing and dementia care, leaving a positive legacy within our communities. Our homes are managed by passionate people, with strong leadership by home managers and dedicated care, clinical, hospitality and activities teams, providing exceptional care and achieving brilliant outcomes for people in our care. We hold our values close to our hearts and ensure that team members throughout each of our homes understand them and the importance they hold. We approach everything we do with thought, and we deliver with passion.
Bank Head Chef employer: Athena Care Homes
Contact Detail:
Athena Care Homes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bank Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who have experience in care homes. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demo. This gives you a chance to showcase your culinary talents and how well you connect with the team and residents.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk about your values! Athena Care Homes prioritises empathy and respect, so be prepared to share how you embody these values in your work. It’s all about showing that you’re a great fit for their culture.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Athena family.
We think you need these skills to ace Bank Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Care: When writing your application, let your passion for providing exceptional care shine through. Share experiences that highlight your empathy and respect for residents, as these values are at the heart of Athena's dining experience.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Bank Head Chef role. Highlight your multi-sited Head Chef experience and any relevant work in a care environment, showing us how you can lead and inspire kitchen teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability: Since this is a bank contract, be upfront about your availability and willingness to travel between our seven locations. This will help us understand how you can fit into our flexible staffing needs.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make a difference in our residents' lives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Athena Care Homes
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
As a Bank Head Chef, you'll need to impress with your culinary knowledge. Familiarise yourself with the current menus at Athena Care Homes and think about how you can enhance them. Be ready to discuss your ideas on menu development and how they align with the values of empathy and individualised care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led kitchen teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you empowered your team or improved service quality. Highlight your ability to inspire others and create a positive dining experience for residents.
✨Emphasise Food Safety and Hygiene Knowledge
Food safety is crucial in any kitchen, especially in a care environment. Brush up on the latest food safety regulations and be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchens. Share your experiences in maintaining high hygiene standards and how you train your team to do the same.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Resident Care
Athena Care Homes values compassion and individualised care. During your interview, express your passion for enhancing the dining experience for residents. Share stories that illustrate your commitment to making a positive impact on their lives through food and hospitality.