At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create nutritious meals for residents with complex needs.
- Company: Cedar Lodge Care Home, part of Willinbrook Healthcare, focused on quality care.
- Benefits: £13.85 per hour, 5.6 weeks annual leave, paid DBS, and uniform provided.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with clear career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen management and knowledge of dietary requirements essential.
The predicted salary is between 13.85 - 13.85 £ per hour.
Cedar Lodge Care Home is located in Taunton, Somerset, and provides specialist dementia, palliative, and respite care for up to 39 residents, alongside The Limes, a dedicated mental health community supporting a further 15 individuals. The home offers a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment, with a strong focus on personalised care, dignity, and resident wellbeing.
Contract: £13.85 per hour
Contracted to 40 hours per week (8am – 5pm, including alternate weekends)
- Paid DBS, pension, uniform provided
- 5.6 weeks annual leave (based on a full time contract)
- No late evenings or split shifts, offering a consistent working pattern and genuine work life balance
- Ongoing training, development and clear opportunities for career progression within a well structured and supportive environment
Role Overview:
As Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen within a specialist complex care setting, supporting individuals with a range of complex physical and mental health needs. You will lead from the front to deliver high quality, nutritious and enjoyable meals that are central to daily life.
You will drive all aspects of kitchen operations, from menu planning and food preparation to stock control, compliance and team performance. Working with fresh ingredients, you will ensure meals are tailored to individual dietary needs, including modified or specialist diets, while maintaining consistently high standards of presentation, nutrition and food safety.
With a strong focus on efficiency and cost control, you will manage stock, ordering and budgets effectively, minimising waste while ensuring quality is never compromised. Leading and developing your team, you will build a well organised, motivated and high performing kitchen. This role offers a rare opportunity to combine strong leadership, quality food and a better work life balance.
What We Are Looking For:
- City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or equivalent, or working towards
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
- Proven experience leading or managing a kitchen
- Strong leadership and organisational skills
- Good understanding of dietary requirements, including modified or specialist diets
- A proactive, reliable and quality focused approach
About us:
Cedar Lodge Care Home is part of Willinbrook Healthcare, the specialist complex care division of Care Concern Group, a family owned, market leading care provider with a strong and growing presence across the United Kingdom. We are committed to delivering high quality care and developing supportive, rewarding workplaces where our teams can thrive.
Through Willinbrook Healthcare, we deliver high quality, clinically led care for adults with complex physical and mental health needs within specialist, supportive environments. Our five core values Trust|Respect|Passion|Kindness|Inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do, shaping the care we deliver and the environments we create. If you share these values and want to build or develop your career in a specialist care environment, we would love to hear from you.
Head Chef employer: Cedar Lodge and The Limes Care Home
Cedar Lodge Care Home in Taunton offers an exceptional working environment for the Head Chef role, prioritising a strong work-life balance with no late evenings or split shifts. Employees benefit from ongoing training and development opportunities within a supportive team that values trust, respect, and inclusivity, ensuring that your contributions to high-quality, nutritious meals are recognised and rewarded. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents while enjoying generous annual leave and a structured career progression path.
Contact Details:
Cedar Lodge and The Limes Care Home Recruitment 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 have experience in care settings. They might know of openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, organise a tasting session or a demo of your cooking style. This gives potential employers a taste (literally!) of what you can bring to their kitchen.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to Cedar Lodge Care Home and express your interest. A personal touch can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on dietary requirements and food safety regulations. Showing that you’re committed to ongoing training will impress potential employers and show you’re serious about the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for cooking shine through! Share your experiences and what drives you to create delicious, nutritious meals that cater to individual needs. We want to see your personality and passion for food in every word.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills match the job description. Mention your experience with dietary requirements and leading a kitchen team. This shows us that you understand the role and are ready to take on the challenge!
Keep It Clear and Concise:While we love a good story, keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts well. This makes it easier for us to see your qualifications and experience without getting lost in too much detail.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details directly and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy and quick to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cedar Lodge and The Limes Care Home
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with various dietary requirements and how to cater to them. Be ready to discuss how you would create a menu that meets the needs of residents with complex health issues, showcasing your understanding of nutrition and presentation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you’ll need to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you’ve motivated and developed kitchen staff in the past. Think about specific situations where you’ve improved team performance or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your leadership capabilities.
✨Emphasise Cost Control Experience
Be prepared to talk about your experience with budget management and stock control. Share specific strategies you’ve used to minimise waste while maintaining quality. This shows that you understand the financial aspects of running a kitchen, which is crucial for this role.
✨Align with Their Values
Cedar Lodge Care Home values trust, respect, passion, kindness, and inclusivity. Think about how you embody these values in your work. Prepare to share personal anecdotes that reflect these principles, as it will help you connect with the interviewers on a deeper level.
