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 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

Main duties of the job

The Head Chef at Barchester Healthcare in Kettering is responsible for leading, motivating, and inspiring the kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals. The position offers a unique opportunity for chefs seeking a better work-life balance, as it eliminates the need for split shifts and long hours, providing instead a schedule that includes working alternate weekends across 4/5 days a week. Key responsibilities include menu development tailored around residents, ensuring a person-centered hospitality approach, and working within budget constraints. The role requires a personable attitude with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents, as well as culinary qualifications such as City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent. A profound understanding of HACCP and COSHH, experience in working with fresh seasonal foods, and knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework are vital. Barchester offers benefits like confidential counseling, medical specialists access, and retail discounts, alongside the chance to excel within their renowned Chef Academy and Learning and Development team.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading care provider focused on delivering exceptional service levels and high-quality care standards in various residential homes. Recognized for ensuring the wellbeing and satisfaction of its residents and employees alike, Barchester emphasizes the importance of its core values in quality and excellence, which guide their operational and care practices. The company places a significant emphasis on creating a supportive and welcoming environment, aiming to not only cater to the healthcare needs of their residents but also to provide a rich and engaging lifestyle through various services, including culinary experiences led by skilled chefs. Barchester believes in the continuous development of their staff, which is facilitated by their Barchester Chef Academy and supported by comprehensive learning and development opportunities. Their commitment to professional growth for their team members is evident through offering industry-recognized apprenticeships and further qualifications, ensuring their workforce is well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of their residents while progressing within the organisation.

Details

• Date posted: 11 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £18 an hour
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: 1515350126
• Job locations: Barchester Healthcare, Kettering, NN15 6XE, 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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