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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create delicious, home-cooked meals for residents.
- Company: Join Colten Care, an award-winning, family-owned care home group with a stellar reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid breaks, uniform provided, and real career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on residents' lives while enjoying a great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Must have City & Guilds 706 1/2 or NVQ Level 3 in Catering/Cookery and relevant experience.
- Other info: Work 4 days on, 4 days off, with shifts ending at 6:30pm.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 46000 £ per year.
Head Chef
From £40,000, plus overtime
4 days on / 4 days off, 6:30am – 6:30pm, average of 42 hours per week
**At Colten Care we are proud to offer career development opportunities, and a range of pay enhancements across our roles. Contact us to find out more**
We’re searching for an experienced, passionate and well-rounded Head Chef to join our team at Linden House in Lymington, Hampshire.
Main Responsibilities:
Prepare from local fresh produce a variety of home cooked meals including a selection of fresh cakes
Provide tasty nutritionally balanced meals across the various mealtimes
Seek feedback from residents
Lead the kitchen and waiting team
Using your creative flair showcase your home’s food at various events held in the home for the local community
Benefits:
Shifts finish at 6:30pm
Paid breaks (hourly rate)
Annual pay review
That’s not all! – Our shifts finish at 6:30pm so if you’re looking for a better work-life balance, we’d love to hear from you!
In our well-equipped professional kitchen with modern appliances, you’ll lead with creativity, crafting meals that reflect the comforting flavours of home using locally sourced ingredients. You’ll engage with residents to create wholesome, balanced meals that enhance their well-being and tantalise their tastebuds. Leading by example and with a sense of pride, you’ll guide our kitchen and waiting staff to deliver excellence, making a meaningful impact on residents’ lives.
About You
You’ll have a genuine passion for creating an exceptional resident dining experience. You’ll be a natural communicator, a team player with a can-do attitude and a sense of fun.
You’ll take pride in understanding our residents’ needs and leading them through a unique and exciting food journey, building lasting relationships along the way.
You’ll have qualified to City & Guilds 706 1/2 or NVQ Level 3 in Catering / Cookery and have previous experience in a similar role.
About Colten Care
We’re an award-winning, family-owned, independent care home group, with an outstanding reputation in the industry. This is due to our amazing people and our focus on keeping the resident at the heart of everything we do.
We strive to be the best we can hence why all 21 of our nursing homes are rated at least good and 7 are outstanding by the CQC, our national regulator.
If a career in elderly care is for you then you want to be part of the team at Colten Care.
Additional Benefits:
Uniform provided
Excellent inductions, training and ‘on the job’ support
Real career progression opportunities
Additional hours / overtime opportunities to suit your circumstances.
Choice of hot or cold meals and drinks on duty
Contributory pension scheme
Head Chef - Lymington, Hampshire employer: Colten Care
Contact Detail:
Colten Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Lymington, Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Colten Care's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to resident care will help you align your passion for cooking with their ethos, making you a more appealing candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your creativity by preparing a signature dish that reflects the comforting flavours of home. This could be a great conversation starter during any interviews or informal chats with the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Colten Care. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would engage with residents to create a unique dining experience. Think about specific examples from your past roles where you’ve successfully enhanced meal experiences for customers.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Lymington, Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in catering and cooking, especially any leadership roles. Emphasise your qualifications like City & Guilds 706 1/2 or NVQ Level 3 in Catering/Cookery.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for creating exceptional dining experiences. Mention your ability to lead a team and engage with residents, as well as your commitment to using locally sourced ingredients.
Showcase Your Creativity: In your application, include examples of how you've used your creative flair in previous roles. Discuss any unique dishes you've created or events you've organised that highlight your culinary skills.
Highlight Teamwork and Communication Skills: Since the role requires leading a kitchen and waiting team, emphasise your teamwork and communication abilities. Provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in a fast-paced environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Colten Care
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
During the interview, express your genuine love for cooking and creating exceptional dining experiences. Share specific examples of dishes you've crafted using local ingredients, as this aligns with the role's focus on fresh produce.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your previous experience in managing kitchen staff and how you foster a collaborative environment. Discuss any successful events you've led that showcase your ability to inspire and motivate others.
✨Engage with Resident-Centric Care
Emphasise your understanding of the importance of resident feedback in meal preparation. Be prepared to discuss how you would tailor meals to meet the dietary needs and preferences of residents, showcasing your commitment to their well-being.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling challenges in the kitchen, such as dietary restrictions or managing busy service times. Prepare thoughtful responses that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain high standards under pressure.