At a Glance
- Tasks: Support multiple care homes by delivering high-quality catering services and leading kitchen teams.
- Company: Join a not-for-profit care provider committed to quality and consistency.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, life assurance, and early pay options.
- Other info: Gain leadership skills and travel across various locations.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference while enjoying flexibility and work-life balance.
- Qualifications: Qualified Chef with experience in high-volume or care-based catering.
The predicted salary is between 19 - 19 £ per hour.
A new and exciting opportunity has come up within our catering team! Are you a qualified Chef looking for better work-life balance while still making a meaningful difference? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where no two days are the same? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
We're looking for an Operational Peripatetic Chef (OPC) to support multiple care homes from Winchester to East Grinstead, ensuring continuity, quality, and compliance across our services. This is a key operational leadership role responsible for delivering safe, high-quality catering services across 7 locations. As an OPC, you will step into kitchens where support is needed most — stabilising services, leading teams, and ensuring standards are consistently met.
Hours:
- ~ 3 days per week (retained basis)
- ~ 10-hour operational service days
- ~ Overtime available
Pay:
- ~ £19 per hour
Working Requirements:
- ~ Alternate weekends (Saturday or Sunday)
- ~ 50% of bank holidays
Additional:
- ~ Mileage reimbursed (Travel time not paid)
Benefits:
- ~ Free meal on shift
- ~ Free Initial DBS
- ~ Life Assurance *Subject to eligibility
- ~ Blue Light Card
- ~ Employee Assistance Programme
- ~ Not for Profit Care Provider
- ~ Early Pay
About the Role
As an Operational Peripatetic Chef, you will travel between care homes to:
- ~ Deliver high-quality, safe, and compliant food services
- ~ Step in to support kitchens during absence or operational challenges
- ~ Troubleshoot service issues and improve performance
- ~ Ensure adherence to food safety, nutrition, and regulatory standards
- ~ Train and support kitchen teams to maintain consistency
You'll play a crucial role in maintaining stability across our care homes, ensuring residents receive nutritious, enjoyable meals every day.
This role is ideal if you are:
Required:
- ~ A qualified Chef with experience in high-volume or care-based catering
- ~ Confident stepping into new environments and leading by example
- ~ Experienced in maintaining food safety and compliance standards
- ~ Flexible and willing to travel across multiple sites
- ~ Highly organised, adaptable, and calm under pressure
- ~ Passionate about delivering high-quality, fresh food
- ~ Must have a full UK drivers licence
Desirable:
- ~ Previous experience working across multiple sites or in peripatetic roles
- ~ Experience within the care sector or similar environments
- ~ Strong team development and coaching abilities
Why join us?
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to quality, consistency, and care. This role offers a unique opportunity to:
- ~ Gain exposure across multiple services
- ~ Develop your leadership and operational skills
- ~ Enjoy greater flexibility and work-life balance
- ~ Play a vital role in improving service delivery across a wider organisation
If you're a flexible, experienced Chef who enjoys variety, leadership, and making a real difference — we'd love to hear from you. Join a supportive organisation where your skills will be valued, your impact recognised, and your work truly matters.
Care Home Chef - Weekends in Southampton employer: The Brendoncare Foundation
Join our dedicated team as a Care Home Chef, where your culinary skills will not only be appreciated but will also contribute to the well-being of residents across multiple care homes. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and work-life balance, offering you the chance to develop your leadership abilities while making a meaningful impact in the community. With benefits like free meals on shift, life assurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme, we ensure that our employees feel valued and supported in their roles.
Contact Details:
The Brendoncare Foundation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Home Chef - Weekends in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at The Brendoncare Foundation and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Home Chef - Weekends in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at The Brendoncare Foundation that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at The Brendoncare Foundation.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at The Brendoncare Foundation get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Brendoncare Foundation
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at The Brendoncare Foundation and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
