Catering Lead

Are you a talented cook with a passion for great food and leading a team? Quinton House & Gardens, part of Holmwood Care Group, is looking for an experienced Catering Lead to head up our kitchen and catering team. The role reports to the Home Manager and works alongside our care, activities, facilities and housekeeping teams to help make Quinton House feel like home - one meal at a time.

This is a great opportunity to take real ownership of catering in a well-established, well-loved home - planning menus, leading a team, and making sure every meal is something residents genuinely look forward to.

Quinton House & Gardens is a CQC-registered residential and nursing home with specialist dementia units, set in stunning gardens in the beautiful surroundings of Lower Quinton, a short drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a home with real character: large, light, well-established and genuinely part of village life. We are more than just a care home - we are a family. Every member of the team plays a part in creating a warm, welcoming and homely environment for our residents.

You won’t be doing it alone. This is a kitchen with a team already in it, not one you have to build from nothing. An established kitchen team. You will lead a team who already know the home, the residents and their preferences, so you can focus on raising standards rather than starting from scratch. A Home Manager and central team behind you. Menus, budgets, staffing and supplies are backed up by administrators, facilities and a central support team who can help when you need it.

The role:

• Plan menus in consultation with residents and the Home Manager, reflecting current nutritional guidance for older people, personal preferences and special diets.
• Lead, motivate and manage the kitchen team - staff rotas, induction, supervision, appraisals and day-to-day direction.
• Oversee and take part in preparing, cooking and serving all meals, snacks and refreshments to a high standard and in a timely manner.
• Determine quantities and portion sizes, taking into account residents' choices, and ensure genuine choice is available at every meal.
• Liaise with nursing and care staff so residents on special diets or with specific cultural needs are properly catered for.
• Maintain accurate stock records, order supplies within budget, and check deliveries for quality and quantity.
• Ensure HACCP processes, food hygiene, safe storage and temperature control are followed and accurately recorded.
• Oversee cleaning and hygiene standards across the kitchen and dining areas, in line with health and safety requirements.
• Manage the catering budget responsibly, working with the Home Manager and administrator to keep spend on track.
• Ensure appropriate uniform and food hygiene standards are maintained at all times, and that mandatory training stays up to date.
• Co-operate fully with statutory inspections and put any recommendations into practice.

What we are looking for:

• Previous experience in a similar catering or cook role, ideally within a care or nursing home.
• Knowledge of textured and modified diets, and experience catering for people with additional support needs.
• Budgetary experience, with confidence managing costs, stock control and minimising waste.
• Proven or emerging leadership skills - comfortable planning rotas, inducting new starters and supporting a team’s development.
• Good written skills, with the ability to keep clear, accurate records.
• A person-centred approach with genuine compassion and commitment to quality care.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with residents, families, care staff and external agencies.

Why join us:

• A respected, family-run care group where integrity, compassion and teamwork are the working culture.
• A supportive Home Manager and central team, plus an established catering operation you can build on rather than start from scratch.
• Genuine opportunities for professional growth, training and development within Holmwood Care Group.
• Pay of £16.50 per hour, and recognition for your contribution.
• A rewarding role at the heart of home life, where good food genuinely makes a difference to people's days.

If you are a motivated cook or catering professional who takes pride in great food and leading a happy kitchen team, and you want a role where your leadership is valued, we would love to hear from you. Applications and informal enquiries are both welcome - a confidential conversation first is absolutely fine.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion:

Holmwood Holdings Group are committed to creating a caring and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We believe our differences strengthen the care we provide and are dedicated to ensuring fairness, compassion and understanding for our residents, families and colleagues.

In line with the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to preventing discrimination, promoting equality of opportunity and making reasonable adjustments to support individuals in both employment and care. Our values-led, person-centred approach ensures that inclusion, respect and empathy are at the core of our operations.