Job Introduction
Some chefs create dishes. You create belonging, dignity, and comfort beautifully plated, three times a day. We\'re looking for an experienced, inspiring Head Chef to lead the culinary vision at Connaught Care, a luxury, all-inclusive care home group where dining is not a service… it\'s a signature, and something that gets people talking! With six elegant homes already open and six more in development, Connaught is one of the UK’s most ambitious hospitality-led care providers. Our residents don’t just eat; they enjoy restaurant-quality dining in a setting where food is memory, identity, and joy. As Head Chef, you’ll bring creativity, leadership and a deep understanding that every plate you send out is more than just a meal – it’s an act of care, an experience.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead the kitchen team in delivering exceptional, high-quality meals tailored to a range of tastes, needs, and specialist diets
- Design seasonal, nutritious menus that reflect both flavour and dignity, working closely with residents to ensure meals feel personal and familiar
- Champion kitchen excellence: managing hygiene, food safety, stock, and allergen protocols to the highest standard
- Coach and mentor your team (Sous Chef, Chef de Partie, Kitchen Assistants) to maintain a smooth, efficient, and calm working environment
- Collaborate with the General Manager, other Heads of Departments and care teams to create memorable dining experiences from themed events to afternoon teas and family occasions
- Build a kitchen culture of care, consistency, pride, and people-first thinking
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous in hospitality, fine dining, or high-end care
- A relevant Level 3 qualification
- Passion for using food to enhance wellbeing, create comfort, and build connection especially in later life
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to nurture a happy, high-performing kitchen team
- A thorough understanding of dietary requirements, food safety, and allergen compliance
- Creativity, organisation, and an eye for detail along with the humility to know it’s often the simple things done well that matter most
Why Connaught?
Because we believe that a great meal can change someone’s whole day. It can be nostalgic. It can be empowering. We understand better than anyone that food is more than just something you eat. We don’t hire experts and then tell them how to do their job in a micromanaging way. At Connaught, you’ll have the freedom to lead with heart, the tools to deliver excellence, and a team that sees food as part of the care plan. You’ll work in a beautifully designed, well-equipped kitchen without the pressures of late-night service or frantic turnaround. Here, you’ll be supported to Live a Life More Extraordinary, to build career development, wellbeing initiatives, and a deep appreciation for what you bring to the table (literally and metaphorically). Oh, and also, we’ll pay you really well! If you’re a chef who leads with pride, cooks with purpose, and believes that food should always feel like home, we love to hear from you.
Benefits Include
- Industry-leading pay
- Paid breaks
- Pay enhancements for Bank Holidays
- Free on-site meals
- Free uniform
- Free DBS check
- Annual Pay Reviews
- Continuous training and progression opportunities
- Annual Health Checks for all staff
- BLC reimbursement
- Salary sacrifice schemes including Pension, Childcare, Grocery, EV, and more.
- A personalised financial well-being platform
- A pension pot finder
- Access to a 24/7 GP
- An enhanced EAP with up to 10 free counselling sessions
- Life insurance of up to 4X your salary
- Access to digital cognitive behavioural therapy
- Personalised Life and Leadership coaching
- YuLife rewards - get rewarded to meditate, do puzzles, and exercise
- An extra day of annual leave for birthdays
- The option to purchase up to five additional days of annual leave through our salary sacrifice scheme
- and more!
- All applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to live and work in the UK
- We cannot sponsor
Due to the nature of the role, this position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
