About this role
Job summary The Sous Chef will support the Head Chef in delivering high-quality, nutritious and appetising meals for residents, service users, families and visitors at Jewish Care. Working as part of an established catering team, the postholder will oversee food preparation and presentation, maintain excellent food hygiene and health and safety standards, manage resources within agreed budgets, and help motivate and develop colleagues. The role also involves ensuring menus reflect individual dietary needs, cultural preferences and Jewish kosher requirements, while contributing to catering for events and maintaining an excellent customer experience. By combining culinary expertise with strong leadership and a compassionate approach, the Sous Chef will help create a welcoming dining environment where food contributes to residents wellbeing, dignity and quality of life.
Main duties of the job Are you a passionate chef who takes pride in great food and making a positive difference to people's lives? Join Jewish Care as a Sous Chef and bring your culinary skills to a welcoming, supportive kitchen team. You will help deliver delicious, nutritious meals, inspire colleagues, maintain high standards and contribute to memorable dining experiences for residents and service users. We are looking for an enthusiastic, proactive and organised professional with experience in a busy kitchen, supervisory skills and a commitment to food safety, quality and value for money. An understanding of dietary needs and cultural requirements is important, and training in kosher kitchen practices is available. If you enjoy working collaboratively, leading by example and using food to make every day better for others, we would love to hear from you.
About us Jewish Care is the largest health and social care charity serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Every week, we support thousands of older people, families and individuals through residential care, nursing care, retirement living, community services, mental health support and social work.
Our services are built around dignity, compassion and inclusion, creating environments where people can live meaningful lives. Guided by our values of Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion and Inclusiveness, we are committed to delivering outstanding care while investing in our colleagues through training, development and a supportive working environment.
Our catering and hospitality teams play an important role in making our services feel welcoming and homely. We value the contribution of every colleague and encourage people from all backgrounds to join us in creating positive experiences for the people we support.
Job description Job responsibilities
At Jewish Care, food is at the heart of what we do. It brings people together, creates comfort, and plays a vital role in wellbeing. Across our care homes and community settings, we deliver high-quality, culturally appropriate meals that truly make a difference to peoples daily lives.
About the role This is more than a Sous Chef roleits a chance to lead, influence, and be part of something meaningful.
As Sous Chef, youll be the right hand to the Head Chef, helping to run a busy kitchen while maintaining exceptional standards of food quality, hygiene, and service. Youll lead from the front, support your team, and ensure every meal delivered enhances the experience of our residents and community.
Youll also step up to lead the kitchen in the Head Chefs absence, so confidence, organisation, and leadership are key.
Working pattern Typically 5 days out of 7, including some weekends
Shifts include:
8:00am 3:30pm(7.5 hours per day, with a 30-minute unpaid break)
Flexibility to support occasional evening events and holidays
What youll be doing Overseeing day-to-day kitchen operations Supporting and developing a motivated kitchen team Ensuring high standards of food quality, presentation, and service Maintaining food hygiene, health & safety, and compliance standards Managing stock, ordering, and reducing waste Supporting menu development, including cultural and dietary requirements (including kosher standards) Engaging with residents to understand preferences and improve the dining experience Supporting hospitality and events across the service What were looking for Experience as a Sous Chef or strong Chef de Partie ready to step up A passion for high-quality food and excellent service Strong leadership and team management skills Good understanding of food safety and kitchen compliance Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment Awareness of cultural or dietary requirements (kosher experience is a bonus, not essential) What youll get in return A supportive and values-led organisation Opportunities to develop and progress your career A role where your work has real purpose and impact A positive team environment where you can lead and grow Why this role matters For our residents, food is one of the highlights of their day. As Sous Chef, youll help create those momentsdelivering meals that bring comfort, dignity, and enjoyment.
Person Specification
General Requirements Essential
Please refer to job description above
Desirable
Please refer to job description above
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 Jewish Care
Address
Golders Green
NW11 9TJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://careers.jewishcare.org/ (Opens in a new tab)