Head Chef

Head Chef

Peterborough Full-Time 16 £ / hour No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team, create exciting menus, and ensure top-notch food hygiene.
  • Company: Join PJ Care, the UK's best-rated care home, dedicated to specialist neurological care.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 25 days holiday, career development, and enhanced DBS funding.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of culinary care while enjoying sociable hours and job security.
  • Qualifications: Must have 2-3 years of Head Chef experience in healthcare; pastry chefs welcome too!
  • Other info: Work alongside our current Head Chef for 5-6 months for a smooth transition.

If you would like to know a bit more about this opportunity, or are considering applying, then please read the following job information.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Catering Manager

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Registered Manager

LOCATION: Eaglewood

TERM: Full Time - 38.5 Hours per Week (Must be flexible and be able to commit to shift patterns ranging from 7am-7pm between Monday to Sunday)

RATE: £15.86 per hour

PJ Care has been rated as the "Best Care Home to work for in the UK" as voted for by our staff and is a leading provider of specialist neurological care and neuro rehabilitation for people with progressive or acquired neurological conditions.

Do you have a passion for food and want a full-time career within the hospitality industry? Do you have more than 2 years Head Chef experience within the health care sector and looking for a new challenge? Do you want to take a team of up-and-coming hungry chefs to be able to train and mould them into the ideal brigade you want beside you?

You will receive a minimum of 5-6 months working alongside our current Head Chef to fully support you in your new role to provide all the training and impart their knowledge to make your welcome into our team as personal to you as possible.

Do you want full input into our menus and numerous speciality themed menu days & events we run throughout the year where no 2 weeks are the same? Do you want every other weekend off & Competitive hourly overtime rate (Subject to change)? Are you looking for a job which can guarantee job security, career progression for you and your team whilst working sociable hours?

The Hours are 7-7 and you will work 7 out of 14 days every 2 weeks on a rolling rota. Catering for 105 residents - 3 Services a day using our all-new digital menu ordering platform.

Aim of position: To assist with management of the day-to-day provision of Catering services to PJ Care Ltd ensuring strict food hygiene standards and the Health & Safety of the kitchen areas and catering staff are maintained.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide leadership and direction to the Catering Team during your rota’d shift pattern.
  • Develop communication system with the other Lead Chefs and ensure continuity of service.
  • Attend management meetings, as required.
  • Carry out regular monthly audits of the Catering service provision, ensuring standards are maintained.
  • Ensure compliance with PJ Care Ltd Catering Policy and Procedure.

Catering:

  • Ensure the catering service meets the nutritional and dietary needs of the residents with regard to personal preferences and allergies, in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
  • Assist when needed alongside the Catering manager, Dietician & SLT to produce seasonal menu plans including daily and/or weekly specials whenever you want, providing a varied diet within budgetary restraints.
  • Assist in the preparation of a costed menu programme for PJ Care Ltd.
  • Ensure all statutory standards in relation to the catering services are met in full, and to keep up to date appropriate records in the correct files.
  • Maintain sufficient stocks of dry, chilled and frozen goods to meet the requirements of the menu plan.
  • Carry out audits of catering areas to ensure compliance with HACCP and other legislation, good stock management, including labelling and rotation of stock reporting to the Catering Manager.
  • Be able to maintain our 5-star rating with leading EHO around our kitchen when inspected or for internal audits done by the company.
  • Be able to train and develop hungry up and coming chefs to learn all the skills needed to excel under you and for PJ Care.

Essential:

  • A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience of Head Chef in the Health Care sector.
  • A full driving license.
  • Able to train and work alongside the current Head Chef for up to 6 months to gain the confidence to do the role yourself.

Not Essential:

We are also happy to hear from Pastry chefs out there also looking to take charge of their own team not only being able to run the kitchen but also pass on their knowledge of pastry and impart it amongst our team, with one to one or group sessions.

But have you been a pastry chef and are looking for an opportunity to take over a new team and not only run the kitchen but also be able to give one on one or group training sessions to upskill your team and impart any knowledge, dishes or recipes? We would also love to hear from you.

Benefits:

  • Competitive hourly pay: £15.86
  • Enhanced pay options
  • 25 days holiday
  • Fully funded enhanced DBS
  • Long-service awards and recognition
  • Career development opportunities with salary increments

At PJ Care our residents are at the heart of everything we do, and we strive to nurture dignity, independence and holistic wellbeing through the specialist care models, therapies and activities we provide. This includes our resident’s mealtime experiences.

If this sounds like a bit of you then we would love to hear from you and welcome you as part of our kitchen team and part of the PJ Care family. This isn’t just a job it’s a lifestyle.

PJ Care are individually responsible and expected to safeguard and promote the safety and welfare of all individuals who access PJ Care services to ensure everyone is protected from actual or potential harm.

PJ Care Ltd strongly believes in the promotion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in all areas of life, but particularly in the workspace and is proactive in supporting every member of our team and residents to reach their true potential.

Head Chef employer: PJ Care Ltd

PJ Care is an exceptional employer, renowned for being the 'Best Care Home to work for in the UK', offering a supportive and nurturing environment for its staff. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will benefit from comprehensive training alongside our current Head Chef, competitive pay, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for career progression, all while working sociable hours in a vibrant team culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both residents and staff.
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Contact Detail:

PJ Care Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head Chef

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with PJ Care's values and mission. Understanding their commitment to providing high-quality care and nutrition will help you align your experience and passion for food with their goals during any discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with current or former employees of PJ Care. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when discussing your leadership style and training approach.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in managing kitchen teams and how you've successfully trained chefs in the past. Highlighting specific examples will demonstrate your capability to lead and develop a team effectively.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your creativity in menu planning by thinking of unique ideas that cater to dietary needs and preferences. Being able to present innovative concepts during your interview can set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef

Leadership Skills
Menu Planning
Food Safety Management
HACCP Compliance
Team Training and Development
Budget Management
Nutritional Knowledge
Communication Skills
Time Management
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Creativity in Menu Design
Stock Management
Adaptability
Experience in Healthcare Catering

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience as a Head Chef, particularly in the health care sector. Emphasise your leadership skills and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage a kitchen effectively.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and your commitment to providing excellent catering services. Mention your experience in training and developing teams, as this is a key aspect of the role.

Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, be sure to mention your knowledge of food hygiene standards, menu planning, and compliance with health and safety regulations. These are crucial for the Head Chef position at PJ Care.

Showcase Your Flexibility: Since the role requires flexibility with shift patterns, make sure to express your willingness to work varied hours, including weekends. This will demonstrate your commitment to the job and the team.

How to prepare for a job interview at PJ Care Ltd

✨Show Your Passion for Food

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food and cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've created menus or dishes that cater to dietary needs, as this aligns with the role's focus on providing nutritional meals for residents.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen team in the past. Highlight any training or mentoring experiences you've had with junior chefs.

✨Understand the Importance of Compliance

Familiarise yourself with food hygiene standards and regulations relevant to the healthcare sector. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance in your kitchen, including any audits or inspections you've managed successfully.

✨Prepare for Menu Planning Discussions

Since the role involves creating seasonal menu plans, think about how you would approach this task. Be ready to share ideas for themed menu days or special events, and demonstrate your ability to balance creativity with budgetary constraints.

Head Chef
PJ Care Ltd
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  • Head Chef

    Peterborough
    Full-Time
    16 £ / hour

    Application deadline: 2027-04-01

  • P

    PJ Care Ltd

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