Head Chef - Elizabeth House - Hadleigh

Runwood Homes Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading care service provider in the UK is seeking a motivated Head Chef to lead the kitchen team. This role allows you to deliver high-quality meals while ensuring dietary needs are met for residents. The ideal candidate will have relevant kitchen experience, an Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene certificate, and excellent leadership skills. You will manage kitchen staff, adhere to budget constraints, and create a welcoming dining experience. This position offers an opportunity to grow within the hospitality field while maintaining high standards of food safety and quality.

Benefits

28 days Paid Holiday

Weekly Pay

Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Scheme

Free DBS Check and uniform

Qualifications

• Relevant experience within a catering environment.
• Secure understanding of dietary and nutritional requirements.
• Experience in achieving food margins.

Responsibilities

• Work within the agreed company budget.
• Ensure all kitchen staff are trained on dish specification.
• Manage the stock in the kitchen.
• Inspire and motivate the team for food satisfaction.
• Lead by example, setting pace and standards.
• Ensure dietary requirements for all residents are met.
• Train and develop the team for excellence in food delivery.
• Ensure all food is cooked safely and is taste tested.
• Ensure food storage meets health and safety requirements.
• Deliver the company kitchen standards.
• Implement the Health and Safety policy for kitchen staff.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Food hygiene knowledge

Nutrition knowledge

Menu planning

Education

Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

About the role:

We are currently recruiting for a Head Chef to join our Hospitality team. Working as a Head Chef at Runwood Homes, you will have the chance to deliver hotel and restaurant standard meals without the split shifts and long hours. Our Head Chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus, whilst liaising with residents to ensure they are involved in the menu creations. We are looking for a warm, motivated, and passionate Head Chef who is driven by quality and high standards, to deliver person‑centred hospitality to our residents.

Benefits of working with Runwood Homes:

• 28 days Paid Holiday
• Weekly Pay
• Pension Scheme
• Blue Light Card and access to various other discounts on travel, restaurants, days out and leisure
• Employee Assistance Scheme that is also available to immediate family members
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training
• Free DBS Check and uniform
• Funding and support towards obtaining NVQ Level 1 and 2 in Health and Social Care
• Opportunities to progress your career within the company
• Free, on-site parking
• Employee of the Month awards

Key responsibilities:

• Work within the agreed company budget.
• Ensure all kitchen staff are trained on dish specification and budget control.
• Manage the stock in the kitchen.
• Inspire and motivate the team to achieve food to specification and therefore ensure satisfaction of our residents.
• Lead by example, setting the pace and standards.
• Meet monthly with the management team to ensure dietary requirements for all residents are met.
• Train and develop the team to deliver food to specification and exceed residents’ expectations.
• Ensure all food is cooked to a safe temperature and is taste tested before serving.
• Ensure that the storage of food meets company and statutory health and safety requirements.
• Deliver the company kitchen standards as identified on the kitchen audit.
• Implement and ensure the company Health and Safety policy is met at all times – this includes the training of all kitchen staff.

About you:

The successful Head Chef will have relevant experience within a catering environment. You will have a secure understanding of special dietary and nutritional requirements, and be able to implement methods to ensure these needs are met. You will also have your Intermediate/Advanced Food Hygiene certificate, and a full understanding of H.A.C.C.P. You will be responsible for ensuring this is adhered to, and all relevant documentation is completed.

Additionally, you will have experience in achieving food margins, and writing and planning menus with costing.

As a Head Chef, you will possess excellent leadership skills, and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.

About Runwood Homes:

Established in 1987, Runwood Homes is a leading provider of residential care, dementia care, and nursing care services, with a portfolio of over 59 homes across the UK. Our commitment to delivering personalised care is at the core of our mission, as we strive to celebrate the lives of each and every one of our residents.

At Runwood Homes, we prioritise the professional development of our staff by investing in comprehensive internal, external, and e‑training programs at all levels. This dedication to continuous learning and growth ensures that our team is equipped to provide the highest quality of care to our residents.

As we look towards the future, our reputation for delivering innovative care for individuals living with dementia continues to flourish. We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of care excellence and setting new standards in the industry.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of adults. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances.

You can apply for this role by completing our short application form or by visiting the home where one of our team can help you.