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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create delicious, nutritious meals for our residents.
- Company: Runwood Homes provides exceptional care services across the UK since 1987.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days paid holiday, weekly pay, and discounts with a Blue Light Card.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team focused on quality and personalised hospitality in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, food hygiene certification, and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and comprehensive training available.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Job Description
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Head Chef
Care Home: Caldwell Grange
Hours per week: 40
Salary: £14.50 an hour
About the role:
We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our Hospitality team. Working as a Head Chef at Runwood Homes, you will have the chance to deliver hotel and restaurant standard meals without the split shifts and long hours. Our Head Chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus, whilst liaising with residents to ensure they are involved in the menu creations. We are looking for a warm, motivated, and passionate Head Chef who is driven by quality and high standards, to deliver person-centred hospitality to our residents.
Benefits of working with Runwood Homes:
- 28 days Paid Holiday
- Weekly Pay
- 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 training
- Free DBS Check and uniform
- Funding and support towards obtaining NVQs
- Opportunities to progress your career within the company
- Free, on-site parking
- Employee of the Month awards
Key responsibilities:
- Work within the agreed company budget.
- Ensure all kitchen staff are trained on dish specification and budget control.
- Manage the stock in the kitchen.
- Inspire and motivate the team to achieve food to specification and therefore ensure satisfaction of our residents.
- Lead by example, setting the pace and standards.
- Meet monthly with the management team to ensure dietary requirements for all residents are met.
- Train and develop the team to deliver food to specification and exceed residents expectations.
- Ensure all food is cooked to a safe temperature and is taste tested before serving.
- Ensure that the storage of food meets company and statutory health and safety requirements.
- Deliver the company kitchen standards as identified on the kitchen audit.
- Implement and ensure the company Health and Safety policy is met at all times this includes the training of all kitchen staff.
About you:
The successful Head Chef will have relevant experience within a catering environment. You will have a secure understanding of special dietary and nutritional requirements, and be able to implement methods to ensure these needs are met. You will also have your Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene certificate, and a full understanding of H.A.C.C.P. You will be responsible for ensuring this is adhered to, and all relevant documentation is completed.
Additionally, you will have experience in achieving food margins, and writing and planning menus with costing.
As a Head Chef, you will possess excellent leadership skills, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
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.
All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of adults. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.
You can apply for this role by completing our short application form or by visiting the home where one of our team can help you.
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Head Chef employer: Runwood Care Homes
Contact Detail:
Runwood Care Homes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary and nutritional requirements relevant to care homes. Understanding these needs will not only help you in the role but also impress during your discussions with us.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've motivated and trained kitchen staff in previous roles. We value strong team dynamics, so be ready to discuss your approach to inspiring others.
✨Tip Number 3
Research our company values and mission at Runwood Homes. Being able to articulate how your personal values align with ours can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to our residents.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with menu planning and cost control. We want to hear about your creative process and how you ensure quality while staying within budget, as this is crucial for the Head Chef role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head Chef position. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, such as menu planning, budget management, and team leadership.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in catering and kitchen management. Emphasise your leadership skills, knowledge of dietary requirements, and any certifications like Food Hygiene or H.A.C.C.P. that are pertinent to the role.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for cooking and hospitality. Mention how your values align with those of Runwood Homes and provide examples of how you've successfully managed a kitchen or led a team in the past.
Complete the Application Form: When filling out the online application form, ensure all sections are completed accurately. Double-check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and make sure to include all requested information to avoid delays in processing your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Runwood Care Homes
✨Showcase Your Culinary Passion
During the interview, express your love for cooking and how it drives you to create exceptional meals. Share specific examples of dishes you've crafted and how they were received by diners, especially in a care home setting.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Head Chef, you'll be leading a team. Highlight your experience in training and motivating kitchen staff. Discuss how you've inspired your team to meet high standards and how you handle challenges in a busy kitchen environment.
✨Understand Dietary Needs
Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of special dietary requirements and how you've catered to them in the past. This is crucial in a care home setting, so share any relevant experiences that showcase your ability to create nutritious and balanced menus.
✨Discuss Budget Management
Talk about your experience with managing kitchen budgets and achieving food margins. Provide examples of how you've successfully planned menus while keeping costs in check, ensuring quality without compromising on standards.
