Surecare Group has been providing general nursing care for our residents since 2003. Our homes operate under our ethos ‘Care, Quality & Compassion’ which is at the heart of everything we do.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Head Cook to take responsibility for the kitchen at Brocklehurst Nursing Home , leading the team and delivering nutritious, well-balanced meals that meet the dietary, cultural, and medical needs of our residents, while ensuring full compliance with current food safety and care sector regulations.
Benefits:
- Company Pension
- Free On-site parking
- Paid Breaks
- Supportive and friendly working environment
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, manage, and develop the kitchen team, including supervision, training, and performance support.
- Prepare and cook nutritious meals in line with residents’ dietary needs, allergies, preferences, and clinical requirements (including textured diets and fortified meals where required).
- Develop and maintain seasonal menus in consultation with residents, management, and care staff.
- Manage food ordering, stock control, budgeting, and supplier relationships to ensure cost-effective and high-quality provision.
- Comply with Health & Safety, COSHH, Food Hygiene, and Environmental Health regulations.
- Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control in all kitchen areas.
- Ensure accurate completion and maintenance of records, including temperature checks, cleaning schedules, stock control, and allergen documentation.
- Ensure all equipment is properly maintained and report faults promptly.
- Promote high standards of food presentation and service to enhance resident satisfaction and wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively with care staff to ensure dietary needs are accurately communicated and met.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Recognised catering qualification (minimum NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation/Cooking).
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 Food Safety minimum; Level 3 Food Safety in Catering preferred).
- Minimum of 1 years’ experience in commercial, institutional, or care home catering, preparing varied menus.
- Strong understanding of dietary requirements in older adults and vulnerable individuals.
- Knowledge of current food safety legislation, allergen management, and HACCP-based systems
- Experience managing kitchen budgets, stock control, and suppliers
- Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and take full responsibility for kitchen operations
- Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check.
Work remotely:
We appreciate your interest in joining our team. While we appreciate all applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
We hope you feel you could be our next team member.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £14.34 per hour
Application question(s):
- Tell me a little about yourself and why you’ve applied for the role?
- Can you tell us about any skills or cooking experience you have that might be helpful in this job?
- How do you ensure food safety and maintain cleanliness in the kitchen?
- Do you have HACCP level 2 or above?
- What is the postcode you will be commuting from?
- Are you authorised to work in the UK? If so, please provide details of your current Right to Work status
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
