At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate kitchen team and create delicious, nutritious menus for our residents.
- Company: Join Barchester, a company dedicated to quality and high standards in care.
- Benefits: Enjoy a great work-life balance, competitive pay, and exciting bonuses up to £500.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in residents' lives while enjoying a fulfilling culinary career.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and a passion for fresh, seasonal food.
- Other info: Access to the Barchester Chef Academy for skill development and growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 981 - 1207 £ per month.
Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be!
Your Benefits and Rewards
- Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week
- Rewarding Excellence' bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
- Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
- Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies
- Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it
- Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
- Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax
- Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide
Your Experience and Qualifications
- A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
- Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
- Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team
- Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition
- The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes
- Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
- Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard
- Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
- Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)
Your Role and Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required
- Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality
- Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked of the highest standards
- Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
- Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas
- Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control
- Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
- Ongoing recruitment and retention
- Managing the performance of the kitchen team and front of house
As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development. We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs. Our internal Learning and Development team also offer industry recognised apprenticeships and further qualifications to chefs and hospitality team members who are looking to build upon and/or develop their skills.
Interested? If you are a motivated and dedicated chef who is ready to be part of something special, apply today!
*Terms & conditions apply
Head Chef - Care Home in Woking employer: The Care Network
Contact Detail:
The Care Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef - Care Home in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to fellow chefs and industry contacts on social media or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Consider hosting a pop-up event or cooking demonstration to showcase your culinary talents. This not only gets your name out there but also gives potential employers a taste of what you can do.
✨Tip Number 3
Tailor your approach! When reaching out to potential employers, mention specific aspects of their menu or values that resonate with you. This shows you're genuinely interested and have done your homework.
✨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 passionate chefs like you ready to join our team at Barchester!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef - Care Home in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your love for cooking and creating delicious meals shine through in your application. We want to see your enthusiasm for providing top-notch hospitality and how you can bring that to our care home.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience with fresh seasonal food and team leadership. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate, so don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements or projects!
Craft a Personal Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to connect with us on a personal level. Share your journey as a chef, your approach to nutrition, and how you create a warm environment for residents. Make it memorable!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Barchester!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Care Network
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with seasonal ingredients and how to create nutritious menus. Be ready to discuss your ideas for dishes that cater to residents' dietary needs, showcasing your understanding of nutrition and modified diets.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led and motivated a kitchen team in the past. Think about specific situations where you inspired your team or improved their skills, as this will demonstrate your ability to create a warm and efficient environment.
✨Engage with the Care Aspect
Since this role involves working closely with residents, be prepared to talk about how you would engage with them. Share your thoughts on creating a welcoming atmosphere and how you can tailor meals to enhance their wellbeing.
✨Understand HACCP and COSHH
Brush up on your knowledge of food safety regulations like HACCP and COSHH. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you take food safety seriously and are committed to maintaining high standards in the kitchen.