Job Description

The Head Chef role at Barchester Healthcare offers a unique opportunity to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the typical split shifts and long hours. As a qualified and passionate Chef, you'll have the chance to lead and inspire a team, develop nutritious and flavoursome menus, and create a warm and welcoming environment for the residents.
Main duties of the job
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. You will lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required. You will be responsible for menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality, working with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked of the highest standards. You will also 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, and create a warm, efficient and fun environment.
About us
Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of care homes in the UK, driven by quality and high standards. They offer a range of benefits and rewards to their employees, including flexible working, bonus schemes, and access to training and development opportunities.
Details
Date posted
12 July 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
38,000 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
1343990035
Job locations
Barchester Healthcare
Near Bath
BS31 3BG
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

• You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team, and have a good understanding of HACCP and COSHH. Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework is also preferred, although training can be provided.

• You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team, and have a good understanding of HACCP and COSHH. Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework is also preferred, although training can be provided.