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Dorset

Head Chef - Care HomeNHS

Ringwood, BH24 2DW Permanent £19.47
Posted 15 August 2026 Closing date 14 October 2026
Pokesdown Rail Station (6.1 miles, direct) Norden - Park and Ride (Swanage Railway) (14.9 miles, direct) Bournemouth University (5.4 miles, direct)

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

As the Head Chef at Barchester Healthcare in a care home setting, you will find a role that offers a harmonious work-life balance with no split shifts or long hours. This position offers the chance to create hotel/restaurant quality dishes, with the freedom of full kitchen autonomy to craft nutritious, flavorsome, and well-balanced menus. Your role will encompass a variety of responsibilities such as leading and inspiring the kitchen team, menu development centered around residents needs, and striving for excellence in hospitality. The job benefits extend to financial rewards for excellent CQC inspections and numerous discount opportunities, coupled with free medical and counseling services. Barchester offers growth through the Chef Academy program and encourages the professional development of its staff. Candidates are expected to have a warm and personable approach, holding relevant qualifications like City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent, and have sound knowledge of nutrition, HACCP, COSHH, and IDDSI frameworks. Apply today if you're ready to contribute to a high-standard, resident-focused culture.

Job description

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

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About us

Barchester Healthcare is a renowned entity in the care sector, dedicated to providing unparalleled service and placing a significant emphasis on quality and high standards. Known for its expansive healthcare services, the organization operates numerous care homes and facilities throughout the UK. Their commitment goes beyond healthcare, encompassing a culture of continuous improvement and putting the well-being of their residents at the core of their operations. The organization boasts an environment where staff collaboration and professional growth are heavily encouraged, as seen in initiatives such as their Barchester Chef Academy. This academy provides opportunities for chefs to learn and refine their skills, creating an avenue for both personal and professional development, which reflects their prioritization of employee satisfaction and development. Barchester Healthcare's ethos thrives on the quality of service, care of residents, and staff welfare, striving to foster a welcoming and nurturing environment within its homes.

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