Head Chef

Head Chef / Kitchen Manager

Pay Rate: £15.00 per hour

Hours: 30 hours per week (Permanent)

Shift Pattern: Rota basis including alternate weekends (Daytime hours)

Location: Colchester area

The Opportunity

Pineapple Recruitment is proud to partner with a highly recognised, award-winning care provider to recruit a creative and compassionate Head Chef / Kitchen Manager for their beautiful residential home on the outskirts of Colchester. Having won "Highly Commended" for Care Employer of the Year at the Regional Great British Care Awards, this exceptional provider is dedicated to enhancing residents' lives through excellence, relationship-building, and outstanding hospitality.

If you are a skilled culinary professional looking for a rewarding role with an excellent work-life balance, this position allows you to step away from late-night restaurant hours while making a meaningful daily impact. You will lead a dedicated hospitality team, crafting high-quality, home-cooked meals from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and making every mealtime a true highlight of the day for the residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Culinary Leadership: Plan, prepare, and present varied, nutritious menus using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.

• Specialist Nutrition: Tailor menus to meet specific dietary needs, allergies, and texture-modified diets (utilising IDDSI guidelines and Focus on Undernutrition principles).

• Team Management: Supervise, coach, and mentor the hospitality and kitchen team, ensuring high morale and flawless service.

• Compliance & IT: Maintain a safe, hygienic kitchen environment that exceeds Environmental Health and HACCP standards. Complete all daily kitchen logging and records using in-house digital IT systems.

• Enriched Dining: Partner with the internal Lifestyles & Wellbeing team to create vibrant themed cooking events, special occasion meals, and interactive dining room experiences.

Skills & Experience Required

• Background: Proven experience as a Head Chef, Cook, or Kitchen Manager within a care home, healthcare facility, or high-volume catering environment.

• Qualifications: Must hold a Level 3 Food Hygiene certification alongside a deep understanding of food safety standards.

• Skills: Strong capabilities in stock management, ordering, cost control, and basic IT literacy for compliance documentation.

• Attributes: A warm, approachable personality with a genuine desire to engage with elderly residents to understand their personal food preferences.

What’s On Offer

• The Unique Perk: Free holiday stays at a stunning company-owned luxury 3-bedroom lodge in Devon, complete with a private patio and hot tub!

• Work-Life Balance: A stable 30-hour contract with daytime hours and only working alternate weekends.

• Health & Wellbeing: Access to a Cash Back Health Care Scheme (reimbursements for dental, optical, and therapy treatments) and Employee Assistance wellness services.

• Financial Perks: High street discounts and savings from over 600 retailers, plus free on-site parking, free refreshments, and a subsidised meal scheme.

• Top-Tier Training: A comprehensive 3-day Face-to-Face Induction supported by a dedicated Training Manager to fast-track your development.

Note: As this role is within a care environment, the successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

Pineapple Recruitment is acting as a Recruitment Agency on behalf of our client for this vacancy.