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 RewardsWorking days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a weekRewarding Excellence' bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspectionUnlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referralAccess to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companiesFree access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need itConfidential and free access to counselling and legal servicesTax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of taxOption to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwideYour Experience and Qualifications A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalentExperience in leading, motivating and inspiring a teamExperience of worki

Main duties of the job

If you are a committed and enthusiastic Chef looking for an improved work-life balance, this role at Barchester Healthcare may be the ideal opportunity for you. The Head Chef position at Barchester involves running the kitchen in a care home, focusing on providing high-quality food using fresh ingredients and creating a warm dining environment for residents. Working 4/5 days a week including alternate weekends offers a balanced schedule, without long hours. Alongside competitive pay of £43,000 per annum, benefits include bonuses for excellence, retail discounts, and free access to medical and counselling services. Essential qualifications include City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent, experience in leading a kitchen team, and proficiency in handling fresh seasonal food. Role responsibilities entail overseeing menu development, ensuring high standards in kitchen and dining area, the management and training of team members, and the preparation of nutritious and appealing meals. Barchester supports personal growth through their Chef Academy, offering opportunities to learn new techniques and share knowledge across the organization.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a reputed provider of top-quality care, offering a range of services to enhance the lives of its residents. With a focus on quality and high standards, Barchester supports its culinary professionals through environments that encourage personal and professional growth. Named among the UK's top care homes, Barchester prides itself on delivering person-centred hospitality. The organisation's commitment to development is evident in the Barchester Chef Academy, a platform that fosters culinary excellence through sharing best practices and learning new skills. Barchester ensures a supportive atmosphere, helping chefs to refine their abilities and lead successful kitchen teams. Ensuring the care and wellbeing of residents is at the heart of Barchester's mission, and they encourage chefs to engage with residents to tailor a welcoming and nutritious dining experience. Barchester provides the freedom for chefs to be autonomous in their menus, supporting them with training in special dietary requirements when needed.

Details

• Date posted: 14 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £43,000 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: 1526448037
• Job locations: Barchester Healthcare, READING, RG31 5UG, 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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