Head Chef - Care Home
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Barchester Healthcare Head Chef - Care Home
The closing date is 09 October 2026
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
Main duties of the job
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 Healthcare is the place to be! 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.
About us
Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of healthcare services in the United Kingdom, known for its commitment to quality and high standards. With a focus on the wellbeing of residents, Barchester operates numerous care homes across the country. The organisation prides itself on delivering excellent services, driven by a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those they care for. Barchester offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for staff development through the Barchester Chef Academy and other learning and development initiatives. The company values work-life balance for its employees, offering flexible working hours and a range of benefits and rewards. Barchester strives to create a welcoming and warm atmosphere in its care homes, ensuring that both staff and residents feel valued and respected.
Details
Date posted
10 August 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£18.27 an hour
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
1535819883
Job locations
Barchester Healthcare
Ludlow
SY8 1LS
United Kingdom
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
3231
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
3231
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent.
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
Ludlow
SY8 1LS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Barchester Healthcare
Address
Barchester Healthcare
Ludlow
SY8 1LS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Recruitment Team
Barchester Healthcare
Details
Date posted
10 August 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£18.27 an hour
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
1535819883
Job locations
Barchester Healthcare
Ludlow
SY8 1LS
United Kingdom
Privacy notice
Barchester Healthcare's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)
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