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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team, create menus, and ensure high-quality meals for staff and service users.
- Company: Join Elysium Healthcare, a stable company with over 8,000 employees dedicated to mental health care.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days off, free meals, parking, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Experience a balanced work-life with no evenings, a calm environment, and creative meal preparation.
- Qualifications: GCSE English, Catering Diploma, Food Hygiene Certificates, and previous kitchen management experience required.
- Other info: Work in a culturally sensitive environment supporting individuals with complex communication needs.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 31000 £ per year.
Ever imagined being a Head Chef and still having a social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef while maintaining a vibrant life outside of work. This role offers a refreshing change from the typical culinary demands - no evenings, a five-day work week and keeping the stress levels low.
You will be leading an established kitchen team at All Saints Hospital in Oldham overseeing the preparation of large-scale meals for the staff and service users. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, as you provide guidance and training to support your team. There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year which you’ll also cater for – world food day, Christmas, Easter, family day etc. In other words, plenty of chance to be creative and do something different. It’s a calm and pleasurable working environment, where you’ll be able to manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. There’s a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly.
You and your catering team will run the kitchen to hotel/restaurant standards, ensuring a smooth operation with a clean kitchen, tasty menu and happy ‘customers’. Just imagine… great job satisfaction, home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week. Now that’s a recipe for a balanced work-life combo.
As a Head Chef you will be:
- Coordinating the day-to-day management of the catering team to run an efficient food production service
- Ensuring that the catering service meets the nutritional and dietary needs of the service users
- Ensuring the catering service provides meals to staff and company visitors in accordance with the Company policies and procedures
- Taking the lead in the production of a menu plan, providing a varied diet within budgetary restraints
- Ensuring that any maintenance and servicing of catering equipment or the environment is reported to Facilities Manager/maintenance
- Seeking feedback, developing and standardising seasonal menu items to ensure nutritious and high-quality food is produced
- Responding to any reported complaints or incidents, assisting with investigation and referring any unresolved complaints
- Responsible for stock management and equipment in the production areas, reporting issues or concerns
- Managing efficient staff rotas, planning agency and overtime cover and ensuring absences are covered within agreed budgets
- Assisting in the completion of monthly audits of the catering provision to ensure standards are maintained
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- GCSE or equivalent English
- Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates
- City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) Basic Food Preparation Cooking
- Basic Food Hygiene (essential)
- Intermediate Food hygiene (desirable)
- Previous experience in a similar environment
- Management/Supervisory Qualification
- Previous experience in delivering a service on mass
- Menu Planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget experience
Where you will be working:
Location: Grange Avenue, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL8 4EF. You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team at All Saints Hospital, providing care for people who are deaf or have complex communication needs. It is a culturally sensitive service which has been created to provide support and rehabilitation with care and intervention from both deaf and hearing members of staff. All Saints Hospital is a specialist Mental Health service which has self-contained flats for men over 18 years old, which helps them move along their care pathway to more independent living.
What you will get:
- Annual salary of £27,586
- The equivalent of 33 days annual leave – (including Bank Holidays) plus your birthday off!
- Free meals and free parking
- Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a great work-life balance
- Career development and training to help you achieve your career goals
- Pension contribution to secure your future
- Life Assurance for added peace of mind
- Enhanced Maternity Package so you can truly enjoy this special time
- There is also a range of other benefits including retail discounts, special offers and much more.
About your next employer:
You will be working for an established, stable and agile company with over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 90 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move. Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally. Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure.
Head Chef employer: Elysium Healthcare Limited
Contact Detail:
Elysium Healthcare Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary needs and preferences of the service users at All Saints Hospital. Understanding their requirements will not only help you in menu planning but also demonstrate your commitment to providing tailored meals.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Be ready to discuss your approach to staff training and how you maintain a positive working environment.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Elysium Healthcare and their values, especially their focus on inclusive care. Being able to align your culinary philosophy with their mission will make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with large-scale meal preparation and stock management. Highlight any innovative menu ideas you've implemented that cater to diverse tastes while staying within budget.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in catering and kitchen management. Emphasise any previous roles where you led a team, managed food production, or created menu plans.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for cooking and how you can contribute to the vibrant environment at All Saints Hospital. Mention your ability to manage a team and create nutritious meals that cater to diverse dietary needs.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications such as your Catering Diploma and Food Hygiene Certificates. Highlight any additional training or certifications that demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards in food safety and preparation.
Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills: Provide examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Discuss your approach to staff training, managing rotas, and ensuring a smooth operation, as these are key aspects of the Head Chef role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Elysium Healthcare Limited
✨Showcase Your Culinary Creativity
As a Head Chef, creativity is key. Prepare to discuss your experience with menu planning and how you've incorporated seasonal ingredients or special dietary needs in the past. Bring examples of unique dishes you've created that cater to diverse tastes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a team, so be ready to share your leadership style. Discuss how you've successfully trained and motivated kitchen staff in previous roles, and provide examples of how you've handled conflicts or challenges within a team.
✨Understand the Importance of Nutrition
Since you'll be catering to specific dietary needs, it's crucial to show your knowledge of nutrition. Be prepared to talk about how you ensure meals are not only delicious but also meet the health requirements of service users.
✨Emphasise Work-Life Balance
This position offers a unique work-life balance, so express your enthusiasm for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while excelling in your role. Share how you manage stress and ensure a positive environment in the kitchen, which aligns with the company's values.
