Head Chef - Colchester

As Head Chef, you’ll be a vital part of the wider team, contributing to the overall wellbeing of the residents and enriching their daily lives through thoughtful, nutritious, and beautifully prepared meals. You’ll take the lead in planning and cooking home-style dishes, while guiding the kitchen team to deliver high-quality food and a warm, engaging dining experience that truly feels like home.

Duties:

• Use fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible to develop interesting and varied menu plans, responding to residents’ dietary needs and cultural preferences whilst exploring new ways to serve high-quality food and enhance the residents dining experience.
• Elevate the presentation and atmosphere of dining areas and help to serve lunch in the dining room, ensuring a warm and welcoming atmosphere for residents.
• Work closely with the Lifestyles & Wellbeing team to create themed cooking events and special meals for residents.
• Enhance residents' wellbeing by continuously expanding your culinary expertise through relevant courses, such as IDDSI and Focus on Undernutrition, ensuring every meal supports their health, happiness, and overall quality of life.
• Stay updated on best practices in elderly nutrition and supervise, coach and mentor the Hospitality team on special dietary needs, and food safety standards.
• Management of the Kitchen Team
• Completion of the required documentation using in house IT systems.
• Create a safe, welcoming, and hygienic kitchen environment that not only meets Environmental Health and HACCP standards but also ensures every meal is prepared with care.

• Experience working as a Cook or Kitchen Manager in a care home, healthcare, or busy catering environment
• Proven experience in adapting meals for specific dietary needs
• Experience maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming kitchen and dining environment
• Previous experience in mentoring or training kitchen staff
• Previous experience working with electronic kitchen or care planning systems
• Background in training or coaching hospitality or kitchen teams
• Experience in auditing or compliance with Environmental Health inspections

• Holds a Level 3 in Food Hygiene
• Good understanding of food safety standards and HACCP requirements
• Knowledge of using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients
• Awareness of special dietary needs for older adults, including allergens and texture-modified diets, or willingness to train
• Familiarity with IDDSI guidelines and Focus on Undernutrition principles
• Up-to-date with best practices in elderly nutrition

• Ability to plan, prepare, and present varied, nutritious menus
• Skilled in managing kitchen stock, ordering, and cost control
• Capable of leading, supervising, and motivating a small kitchen team
• Ability to work collaboratively with care and wellbeing teams to plan themed meals and events
• Basic IT skills for completing kitchen records and documentation
• Ability to elevate the dining experience through presentation and service
• Experience organising special meals and events in collaboration with activity teams

• Comprehensive Training: Kick start your journey with a 3-day Face-to-Face Induction. Be supported by the Training Manager who is also a nurse.
• Employee Support: Benefit from a range of employee perks,including free refreshments, subsidized meals, and Enhanced DBS.
• Health and Well-being: Access their Cash Back Health Care Scheme, offering reimbursements for dental, optical, and therapy treatments after one year of service.
• Financial Perks: Enjoy discounts and savings from over 600 retailers
• Convenience: Park for free on-site, making your commute hassle-free.
• Continuous Learning: Expand your skills and qualifications with opportunities for further development.