Head Chef - Care Home

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Barchester Healthcare Head Chef - Care Home

The closing date is 10 November 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 Competitive salary and package 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 withi

Main duties of the job

As a Head Chef in Barchester Healthcare's care home in Kettering, you will have the opportunity to work with a company that prioritizes quality and high standards. The role offers a balanced work-life schedule, only requiring work on alternate weekends and 4/5 days a week. You'll receive a competitive salary, 'Rewarding Excellence' bonuses for positive CQC inspections, and access to a wide range of benefits including discounts, counselling, and medical specialists. The position involves menu development, working with fresh seasonal foods, and leading the kitchen team while maintaining high nutritional standards for residents. Applicants need relevant qualifications, team leadership experience, and an understanding of HACCP and COSHH.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of care homes in the UK, committed to delivering top-quality care to its residents. The organization values its employees, offering a range of benefits such as competitive salaries, bonuses, and a supportive work environment. Barchester prides itself on being a place where chefs can create nutritious and balanced menus with full autonomy, avoiding the long hours typically associated with the hospitality industry. The company supports the continuous development of its chefs through its Chef Academy and industry-recognized apprenticeships, fostering the growth and development of its employees.

Details

Date posted

11 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Salary expectations will be discussed at interview stage.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1550483088

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 7JZ

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

• Competitive salary and package

• 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

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

• Competitive salary and package

• 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

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, Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH, Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework

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, Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH, Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework

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 7JZ

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 7JZ

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

11 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience Salary expectations will be discussed at interview stage.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1550483088

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 7JZ

United Kingdom

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Barchester Healthcare's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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