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- Tasks: Lead kitchen operations across care homes, ensuring high food quality and resident satisfaction.
- Company: Runwood Homes, a leading provider of residential and nursing care services.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, paid mileage, pension scheme, and discounts on travel and leisure.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through delicious, tailored meals.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Head Chef, Level 3 Food Safety & Hygiene, and a full UK driving licence.
- Other info: Flexible role with opportunities for career progression and ongoing training.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
Closing Date: 19-01-2026
Regional Head Chef - Head Office - Benfleet employer: Runwood Homes
Contact Detail:
Runwood Homes Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Head Chef - Head Office - Benfleet
✨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 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 and adaptable! Since this role requires travel and stepping in during staff shortages, highlight your ability to adjust quickly to different kitchen environments and team dynamics.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Head Chef - Head Office - Benfleet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for cooking and creating delicious meals shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission of providing high-quality food for our residents.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience as a Head Chef, especially in care or healthcare settings. We’re looking for someone who understands the unique needs of our residents, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to read and understand. This will help us see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Runwood Homes
✨Know Your Culinary Standards
Familiarise yourself with the food quality, safety, and presentation standards expected in a care home setting. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance with nutritional guidelines and HACCP standards during your interview.
✨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, handled staff shortages, or improved kitchen culture in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
This role requires travel and adaptability across multiple sites. Highlight your experience in managing diverse kitchen environments and your willingness to step in wherever needed. Share specific instances where you've thrived in dynamic situations.
✨Engage with Resident Satisfaction
Since resident satisfaction is key, be prepared to discuss how you've gathered feedback and made improvements based on it. Think of examples where you've tailored meals to meet specific dietary needs or preferences.
