At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create nutritious meals for residents in a warm, welcoming environment.
- Company: A well-regarded care home focused on enhancing residents' well-being through quality dining experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, training opportunities, and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and high standards in food safety.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while showcasing your culinary creativity.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef or Kitchen Manager, with a passion for cooking for older adults.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Job Type: Part time
Hours: 40 per week (7am-3pm), working to a rota including alternate weekends
Salary: £15 per hour
Location: Stourport-on-Severn
About the Role
We are looking for a talented and passionate Head Chef / Kitchen Manager to lead the kitchen in a warm and welcoming home supporting 24 residents. This is a meaningful role where your cooking will directly enhance residents' well-being, comfort, and quality of life. In this role as Head Chef, you will oversee all aspects of the kitchen - from menu planning and meal preparation to team supervision and ensure exceptional dining experiences. If you are creative, organized, and experienced in producing high-quality meals for older adults (including those who struggle with solids), this role could be the perfect fit for you.
You will be supported by a dedicated team: 1 x Kitchen Assistant. Care home experience is highly desirable.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients
- Develop varied and engaging menu plans tailored to residents' dietary needs, cultural preferences, and nutritional requirements
- Create special-themed meals in partnership with the Lifestyles & Wellbeing team
- Support residents who require modified diets (e.g., IDDSI)
- Maintain a welcoming dining environment and assist with serving meals
- Ensure full compliance with HACCP and Environmental Health standards
- Supervise, coach, and mentor the kitchen team
- Manage stock, ordering, and cost control efficiently
- Complete all required kitchen documentation using in-house IT systems
- Support a positive dining atmosphere that enhances residents' enjoyment and well-being.
About You
- Level 3 Food Hygiene qualification
- Strong understanding of food safety, HACCP, allergens and special dietary needs
- Experience working as a Head Chef, Cook or Kitchen Manager (care home experience ideal)
- Confident preparing meals for older adults, including texture-modified diets (IDDSI)
- Ability to plan, cook, and present varied, nutritious menus using fresh ingredients
- Skilled in supervising and motivating a small kitchen team
- Comfortable managing kitchen stock, ordering, and cost control
- Experience maintaining a clean, safe, and compliant kitchen environment
- Basic IT skills for completing kitchen records and documentation
- Creative, resident-focused, and passionate about enhancing mealtimes
- Warm, friendly and approachable with a genuine interest in supporting elderly residents
- Reliable, organized, and committed to high standards
- Experience coaching or mentoring kitchen/hospitality staff (desirable)
Benefits
- Competitive pay with potential for a higher rate for experienced applicants
- Supportive working environment in a well-regarded care home
- Opportunities to create themed meals and contribute to resident wellbeing
- Training opportunities, including IDDSI and nutrition-related development
- Stable and friendly team environment
- Free on-site parking
Apply Now
If you're a passionate chef who wants to make a real difference while leading a friendly, supportive kitchen team, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and bring your creativity, care, and culinary skills.
At Olive Recruit, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture that embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity. Our core values, Integrity, Impact, Inclusivity, and Innovation, guide our efforts to create an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to excel.
As a recruitment agency, we prioritise sourcing and placing diverse candidates with our clients, recognising that diverse perspectives are essential for business success and inclusive work environments. We take great pride in celebrating the unique backgrounds and experiences of our team members and candidates. By embracing these different perspectives, we not only create a great place to work but also better serve our clients. Your individuality is what makes our team strong.
Join us in championing our values and building a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All colleagues are expected to share this commitment and participate fully in safeguarding training and processes.
The successful applicant will undergo a free enhanced disclosure from the disclosure barring service & other compliance checks required.
Head Chef in Stourport-on-Severn employer: Olive Recruit
Contact Detail:
Olive Recruit Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef in Stourport-on-Severn
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the care home and its values. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! If you can, whip up a few dishes that align with the job description. Bring photos or even samples to your interview to showcase your creativity and passion for cooking nutritious meals.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your experience with special dietary needs. Since this role involves preparing meals for older adults, share specific examples of how you've catered to different dietary requirements in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to highlight your leadership skills! Talk about how you've supervised and motivated kitchen teams before. This will show that you’re not just a great cook but also a fantastic team player who can lead others.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef in Stourport-on-Severn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your love for cooking and caring for residents shine through. Share specific examples of how your culinary skills have positively impacted others' lives.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight your experience in care homes and your ability to create nutritious meals for older adults. We want to see how your background aligns with our values and the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Olive Recruit
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the types of ingredients you’ll be using in the kitchen. Be ready to discuss how you source fresh, seasonal produce and how you can adapt meals for residents with specific dietary needs. This shows your commitment to quality and care.
✨Showcase Your Menu Planning Skills
Prepare a sample menu that highlights your creativity and understanding of nutritional requirements for older adults. Be prepared to explain your thought process behind each dish and how it caters to the residents' preferences and dietary restrictions.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Qualities
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Share examples of how you've successfully supervised and motivated kitchen staff in the past. Highlight any mentoring experiences and how you foster a positive working environment.
✨Emphasise Compliance Knowledge
Be ready to discuss your understanding of food safety regulations, HACCP, and allergen management. Prepare to answer questions about maintaining a clean and compliant kitchen, as this is crucial in a care home setting.