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Maidstone Social Care

Second Chef - Care HomeNHS

Maidstone, ME17 3ZB Permanent £17.37
Posted 4 August 2026 Closing date 3 October 2026
Bearsted Rail Station (2.6 miles away) Chequers Bus Station (3.2 miles away)

Job summary

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work fo

Main duties of the job

As a Second Chef at Barchester, you will be working with fresh seasonal food, providing high-quality service without compromising your work-life balance. Your role will involve assisting the Head Chef in creating nutritious menus tailored to resident tastes, ensuring person-centred hospitality. We value warm, passionate chefs motivated by quality, offering you the chance to work in an open and supportive environment. With a commitment to quality care, Barchester holds high standards across its properties. The role requires a personable, warm approach, a good grasp of nutrition, experience working with fresh food, and engagement skills with residents.

Job description

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK.

NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500* per referral Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UK*Terms & conditions apply

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be.

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About us

Barchester Healthcare is committed to delivering top-tier healthcare services across the UK. With a focus on person-centred hospitality, they maintain high-quality ratings across 224 homes and hospitals. The company's open, honest, and supportive approach puts quality care at its core. Barchester has earned a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies and stands among the top health and social care companies to work for. Their dedication to quality enhances the work environment, fostering collaboration, development, and exceptional care delivery. The organization believes in rewarding excellence and providing comprehensive support to their employees.

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