Catering Lead in Stratford-upon-Avon

Job Description

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The role

• Plan menus in consultation with residents and the Home Manager, reflecting current nutritional guidance for older people, personal preferences and special diets.
• Lead, motivate and manage the kitchen team - staff rotas, induction, supervision, appraisals and day‑to‑day direction.
• Oversee and take part in preparing, cooking and serving all meals, snacks and refreshments to a high standard and in a timely manner.
• Determine quantities and portion sizes, taking into account residents' choices, and ensure genuine choice is available at every meal.
• Liaise with nursing and care staff so residents on special diets or with specific cultural needs are properly catered for.
• Maintain accurate stock records, order supplies within budget, and check deliveries for quality and quantity.
• Ensure HACCP processes, food hygiene, safe storage and temperature control are followed and accurately recorded.
• Oversee cleaning and hygiene standards across the kitchen and dining areas, in line with health and safety requirements.
• Manage the catering budget responsibly, working with the Home Manager and administrator to keep spend on track.
• Ensure appropriate uniform and food hygiene standards are maintained at all times, and that mandatory training stays up to date.
• Co-operate fully with statutory inspections and put any recommendations into practice.

What we are looking for

• Previous experience in a similar catering or cook role, ideally within a care or nursing home.
• Knowledge of textured and modified diets, and experience catering for people with additional support needs.
• Budgetary experience, with confidence managing costs, stock control and minimising waste.
• Proven or emerging leadership skills - comfortable planning rotas, inducting new starters and supporting a team's development.
• Good written skills, with the ability to keep clear, accurate records.
• A person‑centred approach with genuine compassion and commitment to quality care. This is not a box to tick.
• Excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with residents, families, care staff and external agencies.

Why join us

• A respected, family‑run care group where integrity, compassion and teamwork are the working culture, not a poster in the corridor.
• A supportive Home Manager and central team, plus an established catering operation you can build on rather than start from scratch.
• Genuine opportunities for professional growth, training and development within Holmwood Care Group.
• Pay of £16.50 per hour, and recognition for your contribution.
• A rewarding role at the heart of home life, where good food genuinely makes a difference to people's days.

The home

Quinton House & Gardens is a CQC-registered residential and nursing home with specialist dementia units, set in stunning gardens in the beautiful surroundings of Lower Quinton, a short drive from Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a home with real character: large, light, well‑established and genuinely part of village life.

We are more than just a care home - we are a family. Every member of the team plays a part in creating a warm, welcoming and homely environment for our residents.

You won't be doing it alone

This is a kitchen with a team already in it, not one you have to build from nothing.

An established kitchen team. You will lead a team who already know the home, the residents and their preferences, so you can focus on raising standards rather than starting from scratch.

A Home Manager and central team behind you. Menus, budgets, staffing and supplies are backed up by administrators, facilities and a central support team who can help when you need it.