Catering Manager in Romford

Join a welcoming residential care home as a Catering Manager, leading a dedicated hospitality team to deliver fresh, nutritious meals that enhance residents' wellbeing while maintaining exceptional food quality and hygiene standards.

Parkside Residential Home is a warm and welcoming Christian care home run by Romford Baptist Church Housing Association Limited. The home provides high-quality residential care in a supportive community where dignity, wellbeing and respect are at the heart of daily life.

Food and hospitality play a central role in the resident experience at Parkside. Freshly prepared meals contribute greatly to residents' health, comfort and enjoyment. The home prides itself on delivering nutritious, home-cooked meals while maintaining exceptional food hygiene standards and a positive dining environment for residents and visitors.

The Role

As Catering Manager, you will lead and inspire the Hospitality team, ensuring high-quality, freshly prepared meals are delivered seven days a week. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will oversee kitchen operations, support staff development and maintain excellent food safety and hygiene standards. You will work closely with care staff and residents to ensure menus reflect dietary requirements, preferences and nutritional needs, helping to create an enjoyable and personalised dining experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the hospitality and kitchen team
• Prepare and cook fresh, nutritious meals two days per week
• Ensure freshly prepared meals are served seven days a week through effective rota management
• Develop seasonal and rotating menus tailored to residents' dietary needs and preferences
• Maintain high standards of food preparation, presentation and service
• Manage kitchen stock, supplier relationships and catering budgets
• Maintain the home's 5-star Food Hygiene rating and ensure full regulatory compliance
• Implement and monitor HACCP and food safety procedures
• Maintain kitchen records including temperature logs, cleaning schedules and audits
• Organise catering for events, celebrations and special occasions
• Work closely with residents and families to gather feedback and improve the dining experience

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for an experienced catering professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for preparing nutritious meals in a care home or hospitality environment. You will be organised, proactive and committed to maintaining the highest standards of food quality and kitchen management.

• Catering qualification such as City & Guilds, BTEC or equivalent NVQ Level 3 in Practical Cookery or similar
• Food Hygiene Certificate (minimum Level 2)
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety regulations
• Minimum 2 years' experience cooking for 30+ people in a professional kitchen
• Experience managing kitchen teams or hospitality staff
• Experience managing stock control, suppliers and kitchen budgets
• Strong organisational and time-management skills
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office
• Ability to work collaboratively with care teams and engage positively with residents

Benefits:

• Parkside Residential Home offers a supportive and friendly working environment where staff are valued and encouraged to develop.
• Competitive salary of £35,000 per annum
• Stable full-time role within a respected residential care home
• Opportunity to lead and develop a dedicated hospitality team
• Meaningful work supporting the wellbeing of residents
• Supportive management and team environment
• Training and development opportunities

How to apply for the role:

If you have the skills and experience required for this position, click “apply” today and check your inbox for an email providing more information on how to complete your application and provide any other supporting documents. You must be authorised to work in the UK. No agencies, please.