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- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations across multiple care homes, ensuring high food quality and resident satisfaction.
- Company: Runwood Homes is a top provider of residential and nursing care with over 59 homes in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days paid holiday, mileage pay, discounts, and opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Join a caring environment where you can make a real difference in residents' lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must have Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene, a driving licence, and experience as a Head Chef.
- Other info: This role requires travel within Essex & Hertfordshire; flexibility is key!
Job Description
Regional Head Chef
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Regional Head Chef
To cover a cluster of homes in Essex & Hertfordshire
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.
- To 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, when required, 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 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.
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Regional Head Chef employer: Runwood Care Homes
Contact Detail:
Runwood Care Homes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of care home residents. Understanding dietary requirements and preferences will help you demonstrate your commitment to providing tailored meals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Runwood Homes. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing kitchen operations across multiple sites. Highlight any previous roles where you had to ensure consistency in food quality and safety standards, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've trained and developed kitchen staff in the past. This will demonstrate your ability to promote a positive kitchen culture and high performance.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Regional Head Chef. Familiarise yourself with the key duties mentioned in the job description, such as supporting kitchen operations and ensuring food quality.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in your CV, especially any roles that involved managing kitchen operations or working in a care setting. Emphasise your skills in food safety, team leadership, and compliance with health standards.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and caring for residents. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead a kitchen team and maintain high food quality standards.
Showcase Your Flexibility: Since this role requires travel between homes, make sure to mention your flexibility and willingness to adapt to different kitchen environments. Highlight your driving licence and readiness to support various locations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Runwood Care Homes
✨Showcase Your Culinary Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience as a Head Chef, especially in care or healthcare settings. Highlight specific examples of how you've maintained high food quality and safety standards, as well as any innovative dishes you've created that cater to residents' needs.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading kitchen operations and training staff, be ready to share your experiences in managing teams. Discuss how you've fostered a positive kitchen culture and handled staff shortages or absences effectively.
✨Emphasise Communication Abilities
Effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to explain how you've built strong relationships with management and kitchen teams in the past. You might also want to mention how you gather feedback from residents and families to improve meal satisfaction.
✨Understand Compliance and Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with food hygiene, health & safety, and HACCP standards. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in previous roles and any audits you've conducted to maintain these standards.