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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, create delicious menus, and inspire others in a warm environment.
- Company: Join Barchester, a company focused on quality and high standards in care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a great work-life balance, competitive bonuses, and access to discounts and support services.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while enjoying autonomy in your culinary creations.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams, cooking with fresh ingredients, and a passion for resident wellbeing.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development through our Chef Academy and industry-recognised qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Your Benefits and Rewards
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Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week
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‘Rewarding Excellence’ bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
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Unlimited access to our ‘Refer a Friend’ scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
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Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies
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Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it
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Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
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Tax Code Review Service to check you’re on the right code and paying the right level of tax
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Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide
Your Experience and Qualifications
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A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
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Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
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Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team
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Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition
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The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes
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Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
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Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard
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Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
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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
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Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required
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Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality
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Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked to the highest standards
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Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
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Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas
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Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control
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Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
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Ongoing recruitment and retention
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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
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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
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs and industry contacts on social media or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider hosting a pop-up dinner or cooking demonstration to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to care homes or restaurants you admire and express your interest. A personal touch can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for passionate chefs like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Care Home
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for cooking and caring for residents shine through. We want to see how much you love creating delicious meals and making a difference in people's lives!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in leading teams and working with fresh produce. We’re looking for someone who can inspire others, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Personable: Since this role involves engaging with residents, it’s important to convey your warm and friendly approach in your application. Use a conversational tone to show that you genuinely care about their wellbeing.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barchester Healthcare
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with seasonal ingredients and how to create nutritious menus. Be ready to discuss your ideas for dishes that cater to residents' dietary needs, showcasing your creativity and understanding of nutrition.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and motivated a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific situations where you inspired your team or improved their skills, as this will demonstrate your ability to create a warm and efficient environment.
✨Understand the Care Home Environment
Research Barchester and its values, especially around resident wellbeing. Be prepared to talk about how you can contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere and how you would engage with residents to enhance their dining experience.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about HACCP, COSHH, and modified diets using the IDDSI framework. Brush up on these topics so you can confidently discuss your knowledge and any relevant experiences, even if you need training in some areas.
