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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the kitchen, create delicious meals, and manage a passionate team.
- Company: Cedar Lodge and The Limes, a caring and supportive environment.
- Benefits: £13.85 per hour, paid DBS, pension scheme, and 5.6 weeks annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through nutritious and enjoyable meals.
- Qualifications: Culinary qualification, leadership skills, and a positive attitude.
- Other info: Join a family-owned care provider with over 100 homes across the UK.
The predicted salary is between 28 - 30 £ per hour.
Cedar Lodge and The Limes Dementia Care Home are located on the peaceful outskirts of Taunton, Somerset, overlooking a beautiful park. Thoughtfully designed for Dementia care, our homes provide a supportive and nurturing environment for up to 42 residents. We are now seeking a talented and passionate Head Chef to lead our kitchen and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that our residents can truly enjoy. This is an exciting opportunity for a culinary professional who takes pride in combining great food with compassion, organisation and leadership.
What We Offer
- £13.85 per hour
- Contracted to 38 hours per week
- Paid DBS, Pension scheme, Uniform provided
- 5.6 weeks annual leave (based on a full-time contract)
Your Role
As Head Chef, you will oversee all aspects of the kitchen to ensure residents enjoy delicious, well-balanced meals that meet their dietary needs and preferences. You will be responsible for menu planning, food preparation, stock management, staff supervision and maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene and safety. Working closely with the Home Manager and Group Executive Chef, you will plan and cost menus that make the most of fresh, seasonal ingredients within budget, ensuring variety and nutritional balance. You will lead and support kitchen staff, providing clear guidance on food handling and hygiene procedures while ensuring the kitchen operates smoothly and efficiently. You’ll also manage ordering, stock rotation, and record keeping, including temperature checks and food safety logs. Regularly reviewing kitchen processes and training staff in best practice, you’ll help maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for both residents and colleagues.
What We're Looking For
- City & Guilds 706 1 & 2 or equivalent culinary qualification (achieved or working towards)
- Strong leadership skills and experience managing a kitchen team
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate and a sound understanding of food safety standards
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across departments
- A positive, proactive attitude with strong organisational skills
- Experience working in a care home or healthcare setting is desirable but not essential
About Us
Cedar Lodge and The Limes are part of Care Concern Group, a family-owned, market-leading care provider with over 100 homes across the United Kingdom. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional care and creating supportive workplaces where our teams can thrive. Our five core values - Trust, Respect, Passion, Kindness and Inclusivity - define everything we do. If you share these values and take pride in creating meals that bring both nourishment and joy, we’d love to hear from you.
Head Chef - Taunton employer: Care Concern Group
Contact Detail:
Care Concern Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Taunton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend local events or join online groups where you can meet people who might know about job openings, especially in care homes like Cedar Lodge and The Limes.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, prepare a sample menu or dish that highlights your culinary expertise. Bring it along to interviews or networking events to give 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 Cedar Lodge and The Limes or similar establishments. Express your interest in working with them and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your online presence sharp! Update your LinkedIn profile and any other relevant social media with your latest experiences and skills. Make sure it reflects your passion for creating nutritious meals and leading a kitchen team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Taunton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your culinary journey and what inspires you to create delicious meals, especially in a care home setting.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've managed kitchen staff in the past and how you foster a positive working environment.
Be Specific About Your Qualifications: Mention your culinary qualifications clearly, like your City & Guilds certifications. If you're working towards them, let us know! We want to see your commitment to professional growth.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care Concern Group
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take some time to think about what kind of menus you would create for the residents. Familiarise yourself with dietary needs and preferences, and be ready to discuss how you would incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients while staying within budget.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen staff in the past, highlighting your communication style and how you foster a positive working environment. This will show them you're not just a great cook, but also a great leader.
✨Emphasise Food Safety Knowledge
Make sure you brush up on food hygiene standards and safety protocols. Be prepared to discuss your experience with stock management, temperature checks, and maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. This is crucial in a care home setting, so demonstrating your knowledge here will set you apart.
✨Align with Their Values
Cedar Lodge and The Limes value Trust, Respect, Passion, Kindness, and Inclusivity. Think about how your personal values align with theirs and be ready to share specific examples that reflect these principles. This will show them you're not just a fit for the role, but also for their culture.
