Second Chef - Care Home

Job summary

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the

Main duties of the job

As a qualified Chef, you will have the chance to work with fresh seasonal food, maintaining a work-life balance and making what you do matter. As a Second Chef at Barchester, you can deliver hotel/restaurant standards without split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating well-balanced, nutritious, and flavoursome menus tailored to residents' preferences. Barchester values person-centered hospitality and seeks warm, motivated, and passionate chefs driven by quality. Our supportive and honest approach ensures quality care at the heart of everything. We take pride in sector-leading expertise with top quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals in the UK. Our accolades include a two-star outstanding rating from Best Companies and rankings in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies and the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a prominent name in the healthcare sector, renowned for delivering exceptional standards of care across the UK. With a portfolio of 224 homes and hospitals, we pride ourselves on our sector-leading expertise and unwavering commitment to quality. Barchester Healthcare fosters a supportive and transparent working environment, ensuring quality of care remains at the core of our services. Our dedication to excellence has earned us a two-star outstanding rating from Best Companies, positioning us among the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and top 25 among Best Big Companies in the UK. We are recognized for our person-centered hospitality, offering tailored care to our residents, and provide a rewarding and engaging workplace for our passionate and motivated team of professionals.

Details

• Date posted: 12 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: Depending on experience Salary expectations will be discussed at interview stage.
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
• Reference number: 1525895787
• Job locations: Barchester Healthcare, Tenterden, TN30 6PY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK.

NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500* per referral Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UK*Terms & conditions apply

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be.