At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a kitchen team to create nutritious, restaurant-quality meals for older residents.
- Company: Join a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to care and culinary excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible hours, and comprehensive health and well-being support.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture with opportunities for growth and recognition.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying a balanced work-life.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering for dietary needs and a valid food hygiene certificate required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 35000 £ per year.
Pay £16.59 per hour. Hours – as and when required. No late nights, no split shifts. Deliver culinary excellence through a better work‑life balance. We’re excited to welcome an experienced Chef Manager to lead our culinary team at Upton Dene Residential and Nursing Home in Chester, delivering nutritious, restaurant‑quality meals without the long hours or split shifts often found in hospitality. This is a hands‑on leadership role where your culinary skills, creativity, and standards really matter, within a structured environment that supports balance and stability.
We also celebrate culinary creativity through our annual Sanctuary Care MasterChef competition, giving Chef Managers the opportunity to showcase their skills, share ideas, and be recognised across the organisation. As a not‑for‑profit and Investors in People Gold organisation, every penny we make is reinvested into our people and our homes, with clear development pathways and recognition for the difference you make. We’re proud winners of the 2025 Nursing Times Award for Care of Older People and the 2025 Care Home Awards – Best for Training and Development, and Outstanding Larger Care Home Group.
Your role:
- Lead the day‑to‑day running of the kitchen, supporting an Assistant Chef and Catering Assistants.
- Prepare and cook meals that meet individual dietary requirements for older people.
- Manage stock and waste while working within budget.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, food safety and compliance through regular checks and risk assessments.
- Recruit, train and support the catering team to help them grow and succeed.
- Experience catering for the dietary needs of older people.
- A valid food hygiene certificate.
- A friendly, approachable nature and enjoyment of working with people.
- Confidence leading and supporting a small team.
Your rewards:
- 28 days’ annual leave pro rata (including bank holidays).
- Occupational sick pay linked to length of service.
- A contributory pension.
- CQC inspection bonus.
- Health and well‑being support – including Aviva Digicare+ with virtual GP appointments, plus an Employee Assistance Programme offering medical, financial, and legal advice, as well as short‑term counselling.
- Company‑paid life insurance.
- Enhanced parental leave arrangements and annual leave purchase scheme.
- Company‑funded training and ongoing career development opportunities, including our Team Leader Development Programme.
- Flexible working options and an inclusive culture where everyone belongs, supported by our staff networks including PRISM, Disability, Race Equality and Parent networks.
- Exclusive retail discounts, Cycle to Work, and salary sacrifice arrangements.
Some rewards are subject to a qualifying period or other criteria – visit our website for more information.
Ready to start an inspiring career journey with us? Apply today and join us in leading the way in care. Curious what it’s like to work with us? Discover our values, culture and real stories from our teams at www.sanctuary-care.co.uk/jobs or follow us on socials.
Before you apply:
- We can only accept applications from individuals with the right to work in the UK.
- All roles require safeguarding and pre‑employment checks, including criminal records and overseas police checks if needed; for more information, please get in touch.
- Internal candidates should apply via their internal careers account.
- We may close this advert early, so please apply as soon as possible.
Inclusion is one of our core values. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process in line with our Disability Confident employer status.
Building Equality and Diversity:
Sanctuary Group encourages and welcomes applications from people from diverse backgrounds to support our commitment to offering an inclusive environment for our employees and customers. We work closely with the Home Office in order to prevent illegal working. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be necessary in the event of a successful application which we will pay for.
Sanctuary Care Limited is a subsidiary of Sanctuary Housing Association, an exempt charity.
Bank Chef Manager in Ellesmere Port employer: Sanctuary Group
Contact Detail:
Sanctuary Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bank Chef Manager in Ellesmere Port
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their website and social media to see what they're all about. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your culinary skills and be ready to showcase them! Since this role is all about delivering restaurant-quality meals, think about how you can demonstrate your creativity and expertise during the interview. Maybe even prepare a dish that reflects your style!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've successfully managed a kitchen or trained a team in the past. They want to see that you can lead and inspire others while maintaining high standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows that you’re proactive and serious about joining our amazing team at Sanctuary Care.
We think you need these skills to ace Bank Chef Manager in Ellesmere Port
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Culinary Skills: When you’re writing your application, make sure to highlight your culinary experience and creativity. We want to see how you can bring restaurant-quality meals to our residents, so don’t hold back on sharing your best dishes and ideas!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to read through the job description and align your skills with what we’re looking for. Mention your experience in catering for dietary needs, as this is super important for us at Upton Dene.
Be Yourself: We love a friendly and approachable nature! Let your personality shine through in your application. Share why you enjoy working with people and how you can lead a team effectively while maintaining a positive atmosphere.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you can find more info about our values and culture there, which can help you tailor your application even further.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanctuary Group
✨Know Your Culinary Stuff
Brush up on your culinary skills and be ready to discuss your experience with preparing meals for older people. Highlight any specific dietary requirements you've catered to in the past, as this will show your understanding of the role's demands.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team before. Think about times when you’ve trained staff or managed a busy kitchen environment, as this will demonstrate your ability to support and develop your team.
✨Emphasise Cleanliness and Compliance
Be ready to talk about your approach to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety. Discuss any relevant certifications, like your food hygiene certificate, and share experiences where you ensured compliance in previous roles.
✨Bring Your Creativity to the Table
Since the role celebrates culinary creativity, think of unique meal ideas or concepts you could bring to the kitchen. Mention any participation in competitions or events that showcase your culinary flair, as this aligns perfectly with their values.