Head Chef

Job summary

Ever imagined being a Head Chef and still having a social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef while maintaining a vibrant life outside of work. This role offers a refreshing change from the typical culinary demands- no evenings, a five-day work week and keeping the stress levels low. You will be leading an established kitchen team at Barnet Lane Clinic in Borehamwood overseeing the preparation of large-scale meals for the staff and service users. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, as you provide guidance and training to support your team. There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year which youll also cater for world food day, Christmas, Easter, family day etc. In other words, plenty of chance to be creative and do something different. Its a calm and pleasurable working environment, where youll be able to manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. Theres a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly. You and your ca

Main duties of the job

As a Head Chef at Elysium Healthcare, you'll balance leadership with creativity, managing a kitchen team at Barnet Lane Clinic in Borehamwood. Enjoy a five-day workweek with no evenings, delivering large-scale meals and catering for special events like world food day and Christmas. Lead the kitchen to hotel standards, ensuring satisfaction for 'customers' and the catering service's adherence to nutritional needs. Responsibilities include menu planning within budget, equipment maintenance, and efficient staff rostas. The role, in a specialist complex care and recovery service, emphasizes a stress-limited environment.

About us

Elysium Healthcare, part of Ramsay Health Care, prioritizes a unique care approach. Operating over 80 services across England and Wales, they offer opportunities for professional growth in sectors like Mental Health and Neurology. Elysium promotes inclusive recruitment and is a Disability Confident employer. With over 8,000 employees, the company focuses on safeguarding service users' welfare, requiring DBS disclosures for staff. Employees benefit from a comprehensive package, including access to a wellbeing hub, career development opportunities, and financial support, underlining Elysium's commitment to its workforce.

Details

• Date posted: 14 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £33,000 a year
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 1526443878
• Job locations: Elysium Healthcare, Borehamwood, WD6 3QU, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Ever imagined being a Head Chef and still having a social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef while maintaining a vibrant life outside of work.

You will be leading an established kitchen team at Barnet Lane Clinic in Borehamwood overseeing the preparation of large-scale meals for the staff and service users. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, as you provide guidance and training to support your team.

There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year which you’ll also cater for – world food day, Christmas, Easter, family day etc. In other words, plenty of chance to be creative and do something different.

It’s a calm and pleasurable working environment, where you’ll be able to manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. There’s a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly.

You and your catering team will run the kitchen to hotel/restaurant standards, ensuring a smooth operation with a clean kitchen, tasty menu and happy ‘customers’.

Just imagine… great job satisfaction, home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week. Now that’s a recipe for a balanced work-life combo.

As a Head Chef you will be:

• Coordinating the day-to-day management of the catering team to run an efficient food production service.
• Ensuring that the catering service meets the nutritional and dietary needs of the service users.
• Ensuring the catering service provides meals to staff and company visitors in accordance with the Company policies and procedures.
• Taking the lead in the production of a menu plan, providing a varied diet within budgetary restraints.
• Ensuring that any maintenance and servicing of catering equipment or the environment is reported to Facilities Manager/maintenance.
• Seek feedback, develop and standardise seasonal menu items to ensure nutritious and high-quality food is produced.
• Responding to any reported complaints or incidents, assisting with investigation and referring any unresolved complaints
• Responsible for stock management and equipment in the production areas, reporting issues or concerns.
• Managing efficient staff rotas, plan agency and overtime cover and ensure absences are covered within agreed budgets.
• Assisting in the completion of monthly audits of the catering provision to ensure standards are maintained.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• GCSE or equivalent English
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) Basic Food Preparation Cooking
• Basic Food Hygiene (essential)
• Intermediate Food hygiene (desirable)
• Previous experience in a similar environment
• Management/Supervisory Qualification
• Previous experience in delivering a service on mass
• Menu Planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget experience

Where you will be working

Location: Barnet Lane, Elstree, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 3QU

Barnet Lane’s Complex Care and Recovery Service (CCRS) is a highly specialised, bespoke inpatient adult service designed to support individuals whose needs exceed the scope of traditional inpatient service models. The service specialises in treating patients who have experienced multiple or prolonged admissions, stalled discharge pathways, or who have been unable to progress within conventional care environments.

What You’ll Get

At Elysium Healthcare, we believe in taking care of the people who care for others, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and future:

• Annual base salary of £33,000
• The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window.
• Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals
• Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely-Vate; Your one-stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and wellbeing hub!
• Wellbeing support and activities to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance
• Access to Blue Light Card, which provides a range of exclusive offers and discounts
• Life Assurance, for added peace of mind
• Stream – instant access to earned wages when you need it, plus access to save, directly from your wages, alongside financial wellbeing support.
• 24/7 GP service and second medical opinion, to ensure you are the best you can be
• Enhanced Maternity Package, so you can truly enjoy this special time
• Pension contribution, to help secure your future
• Free meals and free parking

About your next employer:

Elysium Health care has over 8,000 employees and a unique approach to the delivery of care. With a network of over 80 services across England and Wales covering Mental Health, Neurological, Learning Disabilities & Autism, Children & Education, there is opportunity for you to grow and move.

Elysium Healthcare is part of Ramsay Health Care with a global network that extends across 10 countries and employs over 86,000 people globally.

Elysium Healthcare follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments and is a Disability Confident employer, committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each person’s individual responsibility to promote and safeguard the welfare of service users. All candidates will be subject to a DBS disclosure