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- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious menus and lead a passionate kitchen team.
- Company: Luxury care home group focused on personalised resident care.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, pension scheme, discounts, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives through quality dining experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, food hygiene certification, and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with ongoing training and development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Find out more about the daily tasks, overall responsibilities, and required experience for this opportunity by scrolling down now.
Care Home: Chalkwell Grange
Hours per week: 40
Salary: To be discussed
About the role:
We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our Hospitality team. Working as a Head Chef at Sanders Senior Living, 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 Sanders Senior Living:
- 28 days Paid Holiday
- 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 Sanders Senior Living:
Sanders Senior Living is a luxury care home group with state-of-the-art residences brimming with premium facilities and exceptional services. Optimum health and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do. And we do it with a difference. 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 Sanders Senior Living, 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.
Head Chef employer: Sanders Senior Living
Contact Detail:
Sanders Senior Living Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Sanders Senior Living. Understand their values and what makes them unique. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience aligns with the role of Head Chef, especially around menu planning and dietary needs. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion! During the interview, share your love for cooking and how you create nutritious, flavoursome meals. Talk about your previous experiences and how you've inspired your kitchen teams. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision. Plus, it shows you’re keen on the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When filling out your application, let your love for cooking and hospitality shine through. We want to see how passionate you are about creating delicious meals and making a difference in our residents' lives.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in catering and menu planning. We’re looking for someone who understands dietary needs and can manage a kitchen effectively, so don’t hold back on showcasing your skills!
Be Person-Centred: Remember, this role is all about our residents. In your application, mention how you’ve involved others in your previous roles or how you plan to engage with residents when creating menus. We love a warm, inclusive approach!
Apply Through Our Website: To make things easier for us and you, apply directly through our website. It’s a straightforward process, and it ensures your application gets to the right place without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanders Senior Living
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, take some time to research and even draft a sample menu that aligns with the values of Sanders Senior Living. Show your creativity and understanding of nutritional needs, as well as your ability to cater to residents' preferences.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a kitchen team in the past. Highlight your experience in training staff and maintaining high standards, as this role requires inspiring others to achieve excellence in food preparation.
✨Understand Dietary Requirements
Brush up on special dietary and nutritional requirements relevant to elderly care. Be ready to discuss how you would implement these in your cooking and menu planning, demonstrating your commitment to person-centred hospitality.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a kitchen environment. Think about scenarios where you had to manage budgets, stock control, or health and safety compliance, and be prepared to share how you handled them.
