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- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create nutritious meals for our Residents, ensuring their dietary needs are met.
- Company: HC-One is dedicated to providing kind and compassionate care in various residential settings.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible pay access, paid DBS checks, free meals, and 28 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery and Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate required.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to personal growth and career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Head Chef role at HC-One.
About The Role
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 manage 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. 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. You must recognise signs of possible abuse, harm, or neglect and know how to respond. All colleagues attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and undertake additional training as needed.
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.
Our 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.
- We are dependable—people can always count on us.
We champion inclusivity, fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and prioritize inclusive working practices.
We are 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 grow our digital capabilities, we’re looking for team members 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. 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
- Hourly rate subject to experience and qualifications.
- 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 families 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.
Seniority level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Management and Manufacturing
Industries: Hospitals and Health Care
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Head Chef employer: HC-One
Contact Detail:
HC-One Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with HC-One's values, especially their emphasis on kindness and inclusivity. During any interviews or discussions, highlight how your personal values align with theirs, showcasing your commitment to creating a positive environment for residents.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate your kitchen team. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team in a high-pressure environment, as this will demonstrate your ability to inspire others while maintaining high standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your knowledge of dietary needs and food safety regulations, particularly HACCP. Be ready to discuss how you have implemented these practices in previous roles, as this will reassure them of your capability to manage a safe and compliant kitchen.
✨Tip Number 4
Think about how you can enhance the dining experience for residents. Prepare ideas or initiatives that could make mealtimes more enjoyable, as this will demonstrate your creativity and commitment to improving residents' quality of life.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Head Chef at HC-One. Highlight your experience in managing kitchen operations, ensuring food safety, and creating enjoyable dining experiences.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the specific skills and qualifications mentioned in the job description. Emphasise your S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery, as well as your Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for providing high-quality care through food. Mention how your leadership style aligns with HC-One's values of kindness and inclusivity, and provide examples of how you've motivated teams in the past.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your application, include specific examples of your previous roles where you managed kitchen operations, adhered to HACCP standards, and catered to individual dietary needs. This will demonstrate your capability to meet the expectations of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at HC-One
✨Show Your Passion for Kindness
As a Head Chef at HC-One, kindness is key. Be prepared to discuss how you embody this value in your cooking and leadership style. Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact on others through your culinary skills.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Dietary Needs
Understanding individual dietary requirements is crucial in this role. Be ready to talk about your experience with special diets, cultural preferences, and how you ensure meals are both nutritious and enjoyable for residents.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Skills
As you'll be inspiring a kitchen team, it's important to showcase your leadership abilities. Discuss your approach to motivating staff, managing a busy kitchen, and ensuring high standards of food safety and hygiene.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenges in the kitchen. Think of scenarios where you've had to adapt quickly or resolve conflicts, and be ready to explain your thought process.
