Job Overview
At The Croft Care Home, food is so much more than a meal – it's comfort, enjoyment, memories and an important part of every resident's day. We're looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef who shares our belief that great food can make a real difference to people's quality of life.
The Croft is a welcoming residential care home supporting 30 residents, and we're proud of the warm, homely environment we've created. We're looking for someone who can lead our kitchen with enthusiasm, creativity and exceptional standards while understanding the importance of catering for older people with a variety of dietary and nutritional needs.
This is an opportunity to become part of a close-knit team where your ideas are valued, your skills are recognised and your cooking is genuinely appreciated every day.
About the Role
As our Head Chef, you will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring our residents enjoy nutritious, home-cooked meals that are both appealing and tailored to their individual needs.
You will have a good understanding of Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) guidance, including preparing modified texture diets safely and confidently, ensuring every resident receives meals that are both enjoyable and appropriate for their needs.
You'll lead a small kitchen team, maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, manage stock and budgets effectively, and work closely with the Registered Manager and care team to ensure every resident's nutritional needs and personal preferences are met.
The role is based on a 7:00am to 5:00pm shift pattern, working three days on followed by three days off, providing an excellent work-life balance.
The successful candidate will also be expected to provide additional cover for annual leave and sickness within the kitchen team when required, helping to ensure continuity of service for our residents.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading and inspiring the kitchen team to deliver high-quality meals every day.
- Preparing fresh, nutritious and appetising home-cooked food for up to 30 residents.
- Planning varied seasonal menus that reflect residents' preferences and nutritional requirements.
- Preparing meals in line with SALT guidance, including modified texture diets where required.
- Ensuring exceptional standards of cleanliness, food safety and infection prevention throughout the kitchen.
- Managing food ordering, stock rotation and kitchen budgets efficiently.
- Monitoring food costs while maintaining quality and minimising waste.
- Working closely with residents, families and the care team to accommodate dietary requirements, allergies and cultural preferences.
- Maintaining accurate food safety documentation and ensuring all legal requirements are met.
- Creating a positive, supportive and well-organised kitchen environment where staff enjoy coming to work.
About You
We're looking for someone who is not only an excellent chef but someone who genuinely enjoys making a difference to people's lives.
You will have:
- Previous experience as a Head Chef or in a senior kitchen leadership role.
- Experience of cooking within a care home, healthcare or similar environment is highly desirable.
- A strong understanding of SALT guidance and preparing texture-modified diets safely.
- A Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate (or higher).
- Excellent knowledge of food safety legislation and best practice.
- Experience of managing food budgets, ordering and stock control.
- Strong leadership and organisational skills.
- A calm, positive approach and the ability to motivate and support your team.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with residents, families and colleagues.
- Pride in delivering consistently high standards in every aspect of your work.
- Flexibility to provide cover for other cooks during periods of annual leave or sickness.
Ideally, you will already have a DBS certificate registered with the DBS Update Service. If you do not, a new Enhanced DBS check will be required before employment commences. The Croft Care Home will meet the cost of this for the successful candidate.
What We Offer
At The Croft, we know our team is our greatest asset, and we are committed to creating a supportive and enjoyable place to work.
In return, we offer:
- A three days on, three days off working pattern.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference to the lives of our residents every day.
- A friendly, supportive management team.
- A welcoming and respectful working environment.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- The opportunity to shape menus and bring your own ideas to the kitchen.
- Paid Enhanced DBS check (if required).
- A role where quality, kindness and resident wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.
If you're an experienced Head Chef who takes pride in producing exceptional food and would like to work somewhere your skills are truly appreciated, we'd love to hear from you.
Join The Croft Care Home and help make every mealtime something our residents look forward to.
Pay: £12.24-£14.50 per hour
Work Location: In person
