Head Chef - Care Home

Job summary

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 Experien

Main duties of the job

As a Head Chef at Barchester Healthcare in Woking, you will play a crucial role in delivering high-quality meals within a care home setting. You will work primarily across 4/5 days a week, including alternate weekends, ensuring a better work-life balance without the split shifts and long hours typical in the industry. Your responsibilities will include leading and motivating your team, developing nutritious and appetising menus tailored to the needs of residents, and maintaining a warm and welcoming dining environment. Additional benefits include a 'Rewarding Excellence' bonus scheme, retail and leisure discounts, and unlimited opportunities to earn through the 'Refer a Friend' scheme. Barchester also provides access to medical specialists, free counselling and legal services, and various staff lottery options. The role requires relevant City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ qualifications, experience in culinary team leadership, and a solid understanding of HACCP and COSHH standards. Participation in the Barchester Chef Academy and further learning and development opportunities are encouraged.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of high-quality care services throughout the UK, focusing on delivering better work-life balance and job satisfaction for its employees. The company operates a wide network of care homes and hospitals, striving for excellence in healthcare and hospitality. Barchester places a strong emphasis on quality and standards, offering a supportive environment where staff are encouraged to grow and develop their skillsets. The organisation is known for investing in its staff through various learning and development programs, including the Barchester Chef Academy, which enables chefs to learn new techniques and advance their careers. Employees have access to numerous benefits, such as financial bonuses for quality inspections, discounts across major retail and leisure brands, and support through counselling and legal services. Barchester's commitment to nurturing talent and rewarding excellence makes it an attractive workplace for healthcare professionals.

Details

• Date posted: 04 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £45,000 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: 1523324960
• Job locations: Barchester Healthcare, Woking, GU23 7DJ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

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

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