At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations across multiple care homes, ensuring high food quality and resident satisfaction.
- Company: Runwood Homes, a leading provider of residential and nursing care services.
- Benefits: 28 days paid holiday, paid mileage, pension scheme, and discounts on travel and leisure.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for career progression and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your culinary career.
- Qualifications: Proven Head Chef experience, Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene, and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 40000 £ per year.
To cover a cluster of homes in Essex
Hours per week: 40 Hours (5 days)
Salary: £17 an hour
About the role:
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Regional Head Chef to join our Hospitality team. You will work alongside our Regional Support Chef & Group Hospitality Manager to support kitchen operations across multiple care home sites within a region/cluster, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and resident satisfaction. This is a flexible role requiring travel between homes. You'll step in to support homes during absences & assist with new openings ensuring consistent delivery of tasty, well-balanced meals tailored to residents' needs.
Key duties and responsibilities:
- Liaise with the Hospitality management team to create regular chef's forums and training sessions to cover the needs of the homes you are supporting.
- When required, audit the kitchen operations to ensure that the food quality, presentation, and service are provided to the appropriate standards as defined by the catering policies and mealtime standards.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with the homes management and kitchen teams through regular personal contact.
- Ensure compliance with nutritional guidelines and individual care plans.
- Support on-site chefs across care homes.
- Step in to lead kitchen operations during staff shortages or absences.
- Ensure all kitchens meet food hygiene, health & safety, and HACCP standards.
- Conduct audits and implement corrective actions where needed.
- Train and develop kitchen staff.
- Promote a positive kitchen culture and high performance.
- Maintain food budgets, where possible.
- Monitor waste and portion control.
- Gather feedback from residents and families to improve meal satisfaction.
Benefits of working with Runwood Homes:
- 28 days Paid Holiday
- Paid Mileage
- Pension Scheme
- Blue Light Card and access to various other discounts on travel, restaurants, days out and leisure
- Employee Assistance Scheme that is also available to immediate family members
- Comprehensive induction and ongoing, paid training
- Free DBS Check and uniform
- Opportunities to progress your career within the company
The successful candidate will have:
- Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene (minimum)
- Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across the region
- Proven experience as a Head Chef, ideally in a care or healthcare setting
- A flexible and adaptable approach with strong organisational skills
- Genuine interest in working within a caring environment
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels
- Team player
- Willingness to participate in vocational training programmes
- Satisfactory DBS result and good references
- Experience of the provision of catering services, food preparation and presentation
This is a field-based role and will require the successful candidate to travel within the region. Access to a car and a driving license is essential.
About Runwood Homes:
Established in 1987, Runwood Homes is a leading provider of residential care, dementia care, and nursing care services, with a portfolio of over 59 homes across the UK. Our commitment to delivering personalised care is at the core of our mission, as we strive to celebrate the lives of each and every one of our residents.
At Runwood Homes, we prioritise the professional development of our staff by investing in comprehensive internal, external, and e-training programs at all levels. This dedication to continuous learning and growth ensures that our team is equipped to provide the highest quality of care to our residents.
As we look towards the future, our reputation for delivering innovative care for individuals living with dementia continues to flourish. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of care excellence and setting new standards in the industry.
Locations
Regional Head Chef in Chelmsford, Essex employer: Runwood Care Homes
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Head Chef in Chelmsford, Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who work in care settings. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, offer to do a trial shift or a cooking demonstration. This is a great way to showcase your culinary talents and how well you fit into the team culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay flexible! Being open to travel and adapting to different kitchen environments will make you stand out. Highlight your willingness to jump in wherever needed during interviews or chats with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Head Chef in Chelmsford, Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Complete the Application Form:Make sure you fill out the online application form completely. We want to see all your skills and experiences, so don’t leave anything out!
Show Off Your Experience:Highlight your experience as a Head Chef, especially in care or healthcare settings. We’re looking for someone who can bring their culinary expertise to our homes.
Tailor Your Application:Use the job description to guide your application. Mention how your skills align with the key duties and responsibilities we’ve outlined – it’ll make you stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on our radar for this exciting role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Runwood Care Homes
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge, especially in relation to food safety and hygiene standards. Be ready to discuss how you ensure high-quality meals and compliance with nutritional guidelines, as this will show your expertise and commitment to resident satisfaction.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Regional Head Chef, you'll need to lead kitchen operations and train staff. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to foster a positive kitchen culture and maintain high performance.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
This role requires travel and adaptability across multiple care homes. Be ready to share experiences where you've had to adjust quickly to new environments or challenges. This will illustrate your readiness for the dynamic nature of the job.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Make sure to ask insightful questions about the company’s approach to resident care and kitchen operations. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values, especially in a caring environment.
