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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and cook nutritious meals for residents while leading a passionate kitchen team.
- Company: Join Care South, a top-rated not-for-profit charity in social care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, Blue Light discounts, and industry qualifications.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives with your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Food Production/Hygiene and a passion for teamwork.
- Other info: Sociable hours with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
About The Role
Head Chef
Location: Castle Dene Residential Home – Bournemouth – BH8 0DB
Pay Rate: Up to ÂŁ15.50 per hour
Shift: 7.30am to 5.30pm – 4 days per week (alternate weekends off)
Castle Dene are keen to meet a \”Passionate Head Chef\” to lead our kitchen team!
Are you a qualified Senior Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work‑life balance, working daytime hours over four days per week with every other weekend off.
About You
You will be organised with the ability to meet deadlines. You will have experience working in a kitchen producing attractive and high‑quality meals.
We are looking for someone with a Certificate in NVQ Level 2 Food Production/Hygiene. You will need an understanding of health and safety and other current relevant legislation.
You will feel confident to take the lead as well as be a team player.
This is an incredibly rewarding role where you can come in and take pride in ensuring nutritious and enjoyable meals are available to all residents at our home. If this sounds like you then we would love for you to join the team.
The Role
- Creating, preparing and cooking nutritious meals for our residents – ensuring quality & presentation is always to a high standard
- Planning meals/menus – consulting with residents and care staff to ensure that individual dietary needs and preferences are catered for across all residents
- Supervise and support our kitchen team.
- Ensuring all health & safety and other relevant legislation is adhered to within your area.
- Responsibility for ordering, checking in and controlling supplies.
Make a Real Difference Every Day
Everyone working at Care South is dedicated to providing the best quality care to all our residents. We all share and work hard to uphold our HEART values, ensuring that throughout the delivery of care, we consistently demonstrate Honesty, Excellence, Approach, Respect and Teamwork.
Our care homes don’t just provide companionship and social interaction, they provide a happy and fulfilling lifestyle for residents, delivering Food, Fun and Friendship, as well as compassionate person‑centred care.
Our fantastic facilities, exciting social activities and exceptional care teams all help to enhance the health and happiness of our residents.
No two residents are the same and we love to learn about their amazing life stories, hobbies and interests. This allows us to tailor our care and activities to suit their likes and favourite pastimes, as well as to really get to know them and build strong relationships.
Food, Fun and Friendship is at the HEART of everything we do!
Why You’ll Love Working with Us
- Ongoing training and development.
- Receiving support from a friendly, experienced team and colleagues.
- Delivering person‑centred care that truly makes a difference.
- Encouraging residents to stay independent and active.
- Assisting with personal care and mobility needs.
- Building genuine friendships with residents.
- Creating a positive, team‑focused atmosphere within the home.
Your Rewards and Benefits
At Care South, we really value all our staff, whatever the role. We offer a stimulating and incredibly rewarding career. We celebrate all our staff every year through the Care South Stars Awards.
As a not‑for‑profit charity, our focus isn’t on our owners or shareholders; it is very firmly on those in our care and those that care for them. We are constantly looking at ways to improve the reward and recognition of all our amazing people within the Care South Team. Our current benefits package includes:
- Online/retail discounts – Blue Light Card.
- Paid induction and training.
- Employee referral bonus scheme.
- Free DBS check.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Life insurance.
- Staff association.
- Local staff reward programme
- Onsite learning and development team.
- Career progression.
- Competitive pay rates.
- Flexible working hours.
- Employee assistance and wellbeing programmes.
What You Need to Know
You must be 18 years or older.
We are unable to offer Visa Sponsorship.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re a kind, caring cook, and ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and become part of something truly special!
About The Company
PEOPLE | PASSION | PURPOSE
Care South are one of the top 20 rated Care Home Groups in the UK based on published reviews from residents and their families and friends at carehome.co.uk.
As a not‑for‑profit charity, our HEART values are key to us providing outstanding care. For more information about us, our values and benefits, please visit our website: http://www.care-south.co.uk/about-us.
For any questions please contact the recruitment team on 01202 712448.
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Head Chef employer: Care South
Contact Detail:
Care South Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the culinary world, especially those who might have insights into the care home sector. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you wouldn't find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, prepare a sample menu or even a dish that showcases your culinary flair. Bring it along to interviews or networking events to leave a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the place! Get to know Fairlawn Residential Home and its values. Tailor your conversations to show how your experience aligns with their mission of providing outstanding care and nutritious meals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info about our values and benefits right there, making it easier to tailor your approach.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let us know why you love cooking and how it connects to your experience. Share any special dishes or techniques that make you stand out as a Head Chef!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you can lead a kitchen team effectively. Mention any past experiences where you've supervised staff or managed a kitchen, and how you ensured everyone worked together smoothly.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the role at Fairlawn. Refer to our values and how they resonate with your own approach to care and cooking. This shows us you're genuinely interested!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. It’s straightforward and ensures your application gets to the right people quickly. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care South
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, take some time to research and think about the types of meals you would create for the residents. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to individual dietary needs and preferences, as this shows your commitment to providing personalised care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen staff in the past, including any challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to take charge while also being a supportive team player.
✨Understand Health and Safety Regulations
Brush up on current health and safety legislation relevant to food production. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance in the kitchen, as this is crucial for maintaining a safe environment for both staff and residents.
✨Emphasise Your Passion for Care
This role is all about making a difference in people's lives through food. Share your passion for cooking and how it ties into your desire to provide excellent care. Highlight any previous experience in similar settings to show that you understand the unique challenges and rewards of working in a care home.
