At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create delicious, nutritious meals for our residents.
- Company: Join HC-One, where kindness is at the heart of everything we do.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, £1000 welcome bonus, and extensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with clear career pathways and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through your culinary skills and compassion.
- Qualifications: S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality and Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
As a Head Chef at HC-One, kindness is at the heart of everything you do. It’s a quality that touches every part of life in our Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Specialist care homes. Everyone who works here understands that our Residents are individuals, each with their own life stories – and by joining HC-One, you’ll have the opportunity to give something meaningful back to them through your care and commitment.
As Head Chef, you’ll inspire your kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that our Residents will genuinely enjoy. You’ll ensure every dish supports our Residents’ health and wellbeing, considering individual dietary needs, cultural preferences, and nutritional requirements. With hygiene and safety always front of mind, you’ll take responsibility for managing the kitchen efficiently — overseeing stock, budgets, orders, and compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP. You’ll work closely with central teams to maintain nutritional excellence while running a smooth, well-organised kitchen operation. You’ll also play a vital role in shaping mealtimes into enjoyable, ambient dining experiences. After all, great food in a welcoming environment can make a real difference to our Residents’ quality of life.
We’re looking for someone with:
- An S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery
- A minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate
- A good understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Beyond qualifications, we value your energy, leadership, and ability to motivate others. You’ll be organised, able to plan ahead, and take pride in delivering excellent service every day. Most importantly, you’ll be kind, considerate, and committed to making our care homes a great place to live — and work.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and therefore it is important that you are able to recognise the signs which may indicate possible abuse, harm or neglect in its different forms and know what to do if there are any concerns. All colleagues are required to attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and to undertake additional training in associated areas. You also have the ability to seek appropriate advice and report concerns, including escalation if action is not taken.
About HC-One: At HC-One, kindness is more than a word—it’s a way of life. We believe that caring for people means caring about what matters most to them, so we can support them to live their best possible lives. To provide the kindest possible care, everyone at HC-One brings and nurtures five key qualities—what we call Kindness the HC-One Way:
- We are curious—asking questions, seeking to understand.
- We are compassionate—walking in the shoes of others.
- We are creative—finding practical ways to make things happen.
- We are courageous—supporting residents to live the life they choose.
- And we are dependable—people can always count on us.
We champion inclusivity, fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to be themselves. Our diverse workforce helps us learn from one another and better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds into our HC-One family and prioritise inclusive working practices across everything we do.
We are also enhancing the way we support residents through digital care planning. This technology is helping us streamline care, improve outcomes, and make daily tasks more efficient. As we continue to grow our digital capabilities, we’re looking for team members who are comfortable with technology—or open to learning. You'll be supported every step of the way.
We care about our colleagues and are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. From the moment you receive a job offer, we aim for the quickest possible turnaround to get you started, with full support every step of the way. With clear career pathways, continuous professional development, and postgraduate programmes, HC-One will invest in your growth—opening up opportunities at regional and national levels.
Please note: We are only able to consider applications from individuals who already have the full right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship or accept applications from those on a time-limited visa. Applications that do not meet this criteria will not be progressed.
Rewards & Benefits: You will enjoy access to a huge variety of benefits and services to support your physical and psychological well-being and throughout your career as a Head Chef we will invest in you and you will enjoy additional support and benefits including:
- Hourly rate is subject to experience and qualifications.
- £1000 Welcome Bonus
- Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
- Free uniform
- During a shift of eight hours or more a nutritious meal will be available
- Company pension scheme
- 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
- Group life assurance cover
- Wagestream - financial wellbeing and flexible access to pay as you need it
- Award-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications.
- GP online - a service providing around the clock GP consultation via an interactive app - available to you and your children under 16
- An opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues as part of an outstanding and committed team.
- Colleague discounts – Access to over 1600 high street discounts including carefully selected discount partners.
- Wellbeing - free of charge access to an independent and confidential Employee Assistance Programme. This gives Colleagues and their family access to 24/7 365 support for a whole range of issues including physical, mental and financial issues
- Excellent recognition schemes such as ‘Kindness in Care’ and Long Service Awards
- An attractive refer a friend scheme of up to £1000 per referral, depending on the role
Head Chef in Chorlton employer: HC-One
Contact Detail:
HC-One Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Chorlton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, dive into HC-One's values and mission. Understanding their focus on kindness and care will help you connect your experience with what they truly value.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your culinary creativity! During interviews or discussions, share examples of how you've tailored meals to meet dietary needs or created enjoyable dining experiences. This will highlight your commitment to the residents' wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your leadership style! HC-One is looking for someone who can inspire a kitchen team. Think of specific instances where you've motivated others or improved team dynamics in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Show your curiosity about HC-One’s approach to care and how you can contribute. This not only demonstrates your interest but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Chorlton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Kindness: Since kindness is at the heart of HC-One, make sure to highlight your compassionate side in your application. Share examples of how you've made a difference in someone's life through your care and commitment.
Tailor Your Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on your leadership skills and how you've motivated kitchen teams in the past. We want to see how you can inspire others to deliver high-quality meals that cater to individual needs.
Highlight Your Qualifications: Don’t forget to mention your S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery, along with your Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate. These qualifications are key, so make them stand out in your application!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at HC-One
✨Show Your Kindness
Since kindness is at the heart of HC-One, make sure to highlight your compassionate side during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to support others in your previous roles, especially in a kitchen or care environment.
✨Know Your Nutrition
Familiarise yourself with dietary needs and nutritional requirements relevant to the residents. Be prepared to discuss how you would create menus that cater to individual preferences and health considerations, demonstrating your commitment to their wellbeing.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll need to inspire your team. Think of instances where you've successfully led a team or managed a kitchen operation. Be ready to talk about how you motivate others and ensure high standards in food safety and hygiene.
✨Embrace Technology
With HC-One enhancing digital care planning, show your willingness to adapt to new technologies. Discuss any experience you have with kitchen management software or digital tools, and express your eagerness to learn and grow in this area.