At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team to create high-quality, kosher meals for residents and staff.
- Company: Join Hammerson House, a values-led charitable organisation focused on community care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, enhanced sick pay, and free fitness classes.
- Other info: Great training opportunities and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of residents through your culinary expertise and leadership.
- Qualifications: Must have professional cookery qualifications and experience managing a kitchen team.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Overview
We are looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen team at Hammerson House, Wohl Campus (Highgate).
The Head Chef will be responsible for the overall management of the kitchen, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, nutritious and strictly kosher meals for residents, staff and visitors.
This role combines culinary excellence, strong leadership and a compassionate understanding of the care home environment.
The successful candidate will lead the catering team to ensure meals are prepared safely, hygienically and in full compliance with kosher dietary laws, UK food safety legislation and Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.
Working closely with the Catering Manager and wider care teams, the Head Chef will ensure menus meet residents’ nutritional, medical and cultural needs, while maintaining high standards of food quality, safety and presentation.
Education / Qualifications
- Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma / NVQ in Professional Cookery – Essential
- City & Guilds Certificate in Professional Catering – Essential
- Food Safety Level 3 – Desirable
- Diploma in Professional Cookery – Desirable
- Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to design balanced, varied and seasonal menus suitable for older residents
- Understanding of special diets, including allergies, diabetes, texture-modified diets and fortified meals
- Knowledge of Food Information Regulations 2014 (Allergens) and allergen management
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage a busy kitchen environment
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to ensure meals are attractive, appropriately portioned and served at correct temperatures
- Compassionate approach when working within a care environment
Experience Required
- Experience managing a professional kitchen or catering team
- Strong team leadership and interpersonal skills
- Experience supervising chefs and kitchen assistants
- Ability to train and support junior kitchen staff
- Experience maintaining food safety records and kitchen compliance documentation
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced kitchen environment
- Experience managing budgets and kitchen operations
- Strong organisational and operational management skills
- Good IT skills, including use of basic systems such as Microsoft Office
Benefits
- Pension scheme
- Enhanced sick pay
- Subsidised canteen
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Employee discount programme
- Free on-site fitness classes
- Opportunity to work for a values-led charitable organisation with a strong community focus
- Training and development opportunities
- Life insurance
- Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
- Work Location: In person
- Job Type: Full-time
- Work Location: In person
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Head Chef employer: Nightingale Hammerson
Hammerson House offers an exceptional work environment for the Head Chef role, where culinary passion meets compassionate care. With a strong community focus, employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises professional development, alongside competitive salaries and generous perks such as enhanced sick pay and free fitness classes. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in a values-led charitable organisation.
