About this role
Job summary Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be! Your Benefits and Rewards Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week Rewarding Excellence' bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide Your Experience and Qualifications A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the rest
Main duties of the job As the Head Chef at Barchester, you will be responsible for leading a team to deliver high-quality, nutritious, and flavourful dishes, utilizing fresh and seasonal ingredients. You will play a key role in menu development, tailoring dishes to meet the individual needs and preferences of residents, and ensuring a high standard of food safety and hygiene. The role offers the opportunity for a good work-life balance, working four to five days a week, with alternate weekends. Benefits include a bonus for exceptional CQC inspections, access to a wide range of retail discounts, and free confidential services, including medical second opinions and counseling. A strong leadership background, experience with fresh food preparation, and a passion for resident care are essential, along with City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualifications. Additionally, the position includes involvement in recruitment, retention, and performance management, with opportunities for ongoing professional development through the Barchester Chef Academy and other learning initiatives.
About us Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of high-quality care and hospitality services, known for its commitment to exceptional standards and resident care. Operating across various locations, the organization provides a comprehensive range of services, including elderly care, specialist dementia care, post-operative recovery, and more, in well-equipped, welcoming environments. Barchester is recognized for its investment in staff development and maintaining an engaged and motivated workforce through various incentives, such as bonuses for outstanding Care Quality Commission (CQC) results and a refer-a-friend scheme. By offering a supportive, professional working atmosphere paired with opportunities for career development, the organization attracts staff motivated to enhance their skills while delivering a positive impact on the residents' lives. Notably, Barchester emphasizes work-life balance for its staff, offering structured work schedules without split shifts, backed by a host of employer-provided benefits, which extend beyond competitive remuneration.
Job description Job responsibilities
Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be!
Your Benefits and Rewards
Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week
Rewarding Excellence' bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies
Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it
Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax
Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide
Your Experience and Qualifications
A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team
Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition
The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes
Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard
Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)
Your Role and Responsibilities
Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required
Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality
Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked of the highest standards
Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas
Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control
Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
Ongoing recruitment and retention
Managing the performance of the kitchen team and front of house
As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development.
We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs.
Our internal Learning and Development team also offer industry recognised apprenticeships and further qualifications to chefs and hospitality team members who are looking to build upon and/or develop their skills.
Interested? If you are a motivated and dedicated chef who is ready to be part of something special, apply today!
*Terms & conditions apply
8765
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Barchester Healthcare
Address Barchester Healthcare
Cambridge
CB25 9BX
Employer's website https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)