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- 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: Experience as a Head Chef, Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene, and a full UK driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 34000 - 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.
Regional Head Chef in Heath employer: Runwood Homes
Contact Detail:
Runwood Homes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Head Chef in Heath
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who have experience in care settings. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨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 you handle kitchen operations under pressure.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay flexible! Being adaptable is key in this role, so highlight your willingness to travel and step in during staff shortages. Employers love candidates who can jump in wherever needed.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Runwood Homes and ready to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Head Chef in Heath
Some tips for your application 🫡
Complete the Online 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 love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles!
Tailor Your Application: Use the job description to guide your application. Mention specific duties and responsibilities that match your experience to show us you're the perfect fit.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate a friendly tone, make sure your application is professional. Let your personality shine through, but keep it relevant to the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at Runwood Homes
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your culinary skills and knowledge, especially around food safety and hygiene standards. Be ready to discuss how you've maintained high food quality and safety in previous roles, as this will show you're the right fit for the Regional Head Chef position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Regional Head Chef, you'll need to lead kitchen teams across multiple sites. Prepare examples of how you've successfully trained and developed staff in the past. Highlight any experiences where you've stepped in during staff shortages or led a team through challenges.
✨Understand the Care Environment
Familiarise yourself with the unique needs of residents in care homes. Be prepared to discuss how you can tailor meals to meet individual dietary requirements and enhance resident satisfaction. This shows that you genuinely care about the well-being of those you serve.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions to ask about their kitchen operations, team culture, and how they measure success in their kitchens. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.