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 & G

Main duties of the job

The Head Chef role at Barchester Healthcare offers chefs the opportunity to join a company committed to quality and high standards, with a focus on providing a better work-life balance. With full autonomy in menu creation, the role encourages chefs to deliver high-quality, nutritious, and flavoursome dishes, utilizing fresh seasonal ingredients. Chefs at Barchester will work across 4/5 days a week, including alternate weekends, and have the chance to financially benefit from the 'Rewarding Excellence' bonus scheme and the 'Refer a Friend' program. The position provides access to various retail and leisure discounts, free medical specialist consultations, and confidential support services. Barchester also prioritizes team development through its Chef Academy and offers learning and development opportunities for further skill enhancement. Chefs will be responsible for leading and motivating the kitchen team, menu development, budget management, and ensuring high dining standards. Experience with HACCP and COSHH,.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a company focused on delivering exceptional quality and high standards in the care home sector. They prioritize the wellbeing and development of both their residents and employees. With a commitment to providing a better work-life balance, Barchester offers chefs the chance to work without the stress of split shifts and long hours often associated with the hospitality industry. The company supports its chefs through various benefits, including a Chef Academy that provides opportunities to learn new techniques and further develop skills. Additionally, Barchester emphasizes the importance of a nurturing and warm environment within its homes, ensuring a person-centered approach to hospitality. Barchester is a rewarding place to work, offering financial incentives for excellence and a supportive network for personal and professional growth.

Details

• Date posted: 29 June 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £19 an hour
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: 1522256480
• Job locations: Barchester Healthcare, Weyhill, SP11 0PN, 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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