Head Chef
Location: Gifford House Care Home, London Road, Bowers Gifford, Basildon, Essex, SS13 2EY
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week over 4 days
Shift Pattern: 10-hour shifts, including alternate weekends
We are looking for an experienced, organised and enthusiastic Head Chef to join our care home in Basildon.
You will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, leading the kitchen team and ensuring our residents receive nutritious, well-balanced and enjoyable meals. The role includes creating and reviewing menus, ordering food and supplies, managing stock and maintaining excellent standards of food hygiene and safety.
As our residents have a range of individual dietary and nutritional needs, we are looking for someone who takes pride in their food, is well organised and understands the importance of providing a positive dining experience within a care home environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day running of the kitchen and supervise the kitchen team.
- Create, develop and regularly review varied and nutritious menus, taking into account residents' preferences and feedback.
- Prepare and oversee the preparation of high-quality meals, ensuring appropriate portions and presentation.
- Cater for individual dietary requirements, allergies, cultural preferences and specialist or texture-modified diets, including IDDSI requirements where applicable.
- Order food, ingredients and kitchen supplies from approved suppliers, ensuring suitable stock levels are maintained.
- Check deliveries and liaise with suppliers regarding quality, shortages or substitutions where necessary.
- Manage stock rotation, storage and use-by dates while minimising food waste and controlling costs.
- Work closely with nursing and care staff to ensure residents' dietary and nutritional requirements are understood and followed.
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and safety throughout the kitchen and food storage areas.
- Ensure all required kitchen records and documentation, including temperature checks and cleaning schedules, are accurately maintained.
- Lead and support kitchen staff, allocating duties and ensuring appropriate standards are maintained.
- Ensure compliance with food hygiene, health and safety, infection prevention and allergen procedures.
- Provide catering for residents' celebrations, seasonal events and other special occasions within the home.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably associated with the position of Head Chef.
Skills, Experience and Qualifications
We are looking for someone who:
- Has previous experience as a Head Chef, Chef Manager, Senior Chef or experienced Chef, preferably within a care home, healthcare or similar environment.
- Has experience of menu creation, ordering from suppliers, stock management and food cost control.
- Has a strong understanding of food hygiene, food safety and allergen requirements.
- Holds a recognised Food Hygiene/Food Safety qualification, ideally Level 2 or above.
- Has a good understanding of nutrition and the dietary needs of older people.
- Has knowledge of specialist diets and texture-modified foods; knowledge of IDDSI guidelines would be advantageous.
- Is confident leading and supporting a kitchen team.
- Has excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Is reliable, professional and able to work effectively as part of the wider care home team.
- Has a caring and respectful approach and understands the importance of residents' dignity, choice and wellbeing.
Role Details
- 40-hour working week over 4 days.
- 10-hour shifts with alternate weekends.
- Full-time, permanent employment.
- Supportive and friendly working environment.
- Ongoing training and opportunities to develop and upskill.
- The opportunity to take ownership of the home's menus and kitchen and make a positive difference to our residents' daily lives.
If you are an experienced chef who takes pride in producing high-quality food and would enjoy leading a kitchen within a caring and supportive care home environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
