Head Chef - Care Home

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Barchester Healthcare Head Chef - Care Home

The closing date is 25 October 2026

Apply for this job

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 inspirin

Main duties of the job

The role of Head Chef at Barchester Healthcare offers an exciting opportunity for chefs desiring a better work-life balance while still being part of a high-standard, quality-driven company. The position is situated in a care home in Kettering and involves working on a permanent basis with a pay rate of £18.00 per hour. The primary responsibilities include menu development using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create nutritious and appetizing meals tailored to residents' preferences. The role requires leading and inspiring a team, engaging with residents, and ensuring high standards in both food presentation and kitchen management. Furthermore, the position promotes working on regular schedules without long and split shifts, offering the chance to focus on personal growth and development through the Barchester Chef Academy. Benefits include discretionary bonuses, retail discounts, access to medical specialists, counseling services, and numerous other rewards to support professional satisfaction and personal well-being within the organization.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a reputable provider known for its commitment to delivering top-quality care and services across its locations. The organization prides itself on prioritizing the well-being and satisfaction of its residents, employing a diverse group of professionals dedicated to person-centered hospitality. As an employer, Barchester is recognized for fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment, epitomized by its Barchester Chef Academy that provides chefs ample opportunities to refine their skills and contribute to the professional development of their peers. The company offers competitive salaries, a range of excellent benefits, and professional growth opportunities. Barchester Healthcare encourages autonomy, creativity, and excellence among its staff while maintaining a focus on collaborative teamwork and effective leadership across all its establishments. Whether through direct care or support services like catering, Barchester is driven by a vision of quality, community, and compassion in healthcare provision.

Details

Date posted

27 August 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£18 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1542187353

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 6XE

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

8765

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

• 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).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• 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).

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

Kettering

NN15 6XE

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 6XE

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

[email protected]

Details

Date posted

27 August 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£18 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1542187353

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 6XE

United Kingdom

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