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- 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 culinary experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, bonuses, discounts, and access to medical specialists.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive culture that values your skills and offers growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Must have relevant chef qualifications and experience in leading a team.
- Other info: Opportunity to join the Barchester Chef Academy for 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!
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
Prepare to discuss your experience with fresh seasonal food and nutrition. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've created appetising menus or led a team in a similar environment, as this will demonstrate your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your leadership skills by preparing anecdotes about how you've motivated and inspired your team in previous roles. This will show that you can create a warm and welcoming environment, which is crucial for the Head Chef position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the IDDSI framework and be prepared to discuss how you would implement modified diets in your cooking. Even if you're new to care, showing a willingness to learn and adapt will impress the hiring team.
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 relevant experience in leading a kitchen team, working with fresh seasonal food, and any qualifications like City & Guilds or NVQ. Emphasise your ability to create nutritious menus and your understanding of HACCP and COSHH.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and your commitment to resident wellbeing. Mention specific examples of how you've motivated teams and created welcoming dining experiences in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills that align with the job description, such as menu development, budget management, and team performance management. Use keywords from the job listing to demonstrate your fit for the role.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role: Convey your excitement about the opportunity to work at Barchester and your desire to contribute to their high standards of quality. Mention any interest in ongoing training and development, such as the Barchester Chef Academy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barchester Healthcare
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking and creating nutritious meals. Share specific examples of dishes you've created and how they cater to dietary needs, as this will resonate with the company's focus on quality and resident wellbeing.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead and inspire your team. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing kitchen staff, motivating them, and how you handle challenges within a team setting. Highlight any successful projects or initiatives you've led.
✨Understand the Importance of Nutrition
Familiarise yourself with nutritional guidelines and how they apply to menu planning, especially in a care home setting. Be ready to discuss how you can create appetising menus that meet the dietary requirements of residents, showcasing your knowledge of fresh seasonal food.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Show your interest in the position by preparing thoughtful questions about the kitchen environment, team dynamics, and the company's approach to resident care. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you assess if the role is the right fit for you.
