Head Chef

Hartford Care Ltd.; Winchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care provider in Winchester is seeking an experienced Head Chef to manage kitchen operations and lead a team in preparing nutritious, home-cooked meals. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in residents' lives while working in a caring, community-focused environment. Ideal candidates will have leadership experience, excellent communication skills, and a passion for providing exceptional food. The position requires a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate and offers a full-time schedule with no night shifts.

Qualifications

• Must have experience leading a kitchen team.
• Experience cooking nutritious, appetising meals.
• Ability to cater for individuals with dietary requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage kitchen services and team members.
• Prepare and present home-cooked meals.
• Ensure food hygiene and safety regulations are followed.
• Lead menu discussions with residents.

Skills

Compassionate and caring nature

Excellent communication skills

Management and leadership skills

Ability to present nutritious meals

Flexible approach to working hours

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Chef – Full-Time (40 Hours per Week - No night shifts. Includes alternate weekends)

Salary: £33k plus £3,000 welcome payment
Location: Winchester, Hampshire

Join the Hartford Care Family – Where Every Meal Makes a Difference

Do you love creating home‑cooked meals that make people smile? Are you passionate about fresh, nutritious food and want to make a real difference every single day?

At Hartford Care, we’re more than a care provider — we’re a family. We believe in Creating Communities, Caring for Each Other, and Celebrating Individuality. As our Head Chef, you’ll bring warmth, creativity, and heart to every dish you prepare. Not only that you can bring your culinary skills to a role where you do not need to work late into the night.

The Role

As a Head Chef, you will effectively run and manage the kitchen service and team members, provide home‑cooked, nutritious and appetising meals and snacks for residents while ensuring good food hygiene is maintained at all times and regulations, and working together as a team to create a happy and caring atmosphere.

Whether you are preparing and cooking a three‑course meal, discussing with residents what they would like to see on next week’s menu, doing a bread‑making activity session with residents, or carrying out a supervision with one of the kitchen team members, you will do so with care at the heart of everything you do.

• Do you want to make a difference to someone's life and feel a sense of purpose in an extremely rewarding role?
• Are you an experienced Head Chef who is energetic and passionate about providing exceptional food?
• Do you enjoy producing delicious, home‑cooked foods that look and taste good?
• Do you have effective leadership, delegation and prioritising skills and experience of leading a kitchen?
• Are you caring, warm and understanding?
• Are you spontaneous, patient, flexible and have a good sense of humour?
• Do you strongly believe in the values of Creating Communities, Caring for Each Other and Celebrating Individuality?

If your answer is yes to all these questions, why not join our Hartford Care family?

Requirements

Essential:

• A compassionate and caring nature
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Excellent communication skills and ability to use IT systems
• Strong management and leadership skills
• Strong organisation and planning skills
• Ability to prepare, cook and present a variety of appetising and nutritious home‑made meals
• An understanding of different diets and ability to cater for individuals with different dietary requirements
• A good understanding of ‘what good looks like’ in terms of the dining and food experience
• Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
• A flexible approach to working hours

This position is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.