Sous Chef

Avery Healthcare Group; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A well-known healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Sous Chef for its Gravesend location. In this role, you will support the head chef in leading a culinary team to deliver high-quality meals that meet residents' needs. Ideal candidates will have a relevant catering qualification and at least a year of experience in the culinary field. Join a respectful and compassionate team focused on making a difference in the lives of residents while enjoying a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of catering experience required.
• Relevant catering qualification is essential.
• Ability to adapt and cover a range of responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the head chef in leading the culinary team.
• Prepare modified diets for residents according to guidance.
• Ensure safe food handling and hygiene standards are met.
• Assist culinary staff with food preparation tasks.

Skills

Catering experience

Food safety knowledge

Compassion in service delivery

Adaptability

Education

Catering qualification (City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ)

Job description

At Avery Healthcare, we are all about supporting the people who care for our residents. We know how hard our teams work, and we’re here to celebrate and support you every step of the way.

When you join us, you’ll be making a positive impact on residents’ lives every day – your compassion and dedication truly make a difference. We’re committed to helping you grow in a caring, supportive environment, with opportunities to learn and develop throughout your career. And as part of our close-knit team, you’ll experience a culture that values respect, compassion, and a shared commitment to exceptional care.

We’re now looking for a warm, enthusiastic, and dedicated individual to join our award‑winning team as a Sous Chef at Springwood Corner Care Home in Gravesend. If this sounds like the place for you, we’d love to hear from you!

ABOUT THE ROLE

Your focus as Sous Chef will be to support the head chef in leading a culinary team that provides a nutritionally balanced, comprehensive, and high‑quality culinary service, which contributes to the overall well‑being of the residents and is achieved within budget.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preparing modified diets that look appealing and are well‑balanced and in accordance with IDDSI guidance.
• Supervising and directing the work of culinary staff, as directed by the Head Chef providing instruction and demonstration to unqualified staff on simple food preparation activities.
• Understanding the principles of safe food handling to ensure that all food preparation undertaken in the kitchen meets the highest hygiene standards.
• Supporting all culinary team members in fully understanding the Avery Food safety management system.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in your application, you must live our values of caring, support, honesty, respect, and accountability in all that you do.

Our ideal candidate must:

• Hold a relevant catering qualification – City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ or equivalent.
• Have a minimum of 1 year of catering experience.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment to the delivery of high‑quality culinary services to residents.
• Be able to be adaptive and flexible to cover a range of responsibilities at short notice.

ABOUT AVERY

At Avery, we’re not just one of the UK’s largest providers of luxury elderly care homes – we’re a place where people love to work. We believe that the later years of life should be as enriching as any other, and we’re passionate about creating meaningful experiences for our residents and our team alike. With our vision of "creating meaningful lives together," we proudly offer exceptional care across our growing network of over 100 homes, building a supportive and inspiring environment where employees feel valued and empowered every day. Join us and see why Avery is the preferred choice for residents and team members alike.

Please note this role will require:

• A DBS Disclosure check, the cost of which will be met by Avery Healthcare.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

This advert may be withdrawn prior to the advertised deadline depending on the volume of applications received and business needs.

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• Job Reference averyhealthcare/TP/656/3869
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 19 January, 2026
• Job Category Catering
• Business Unit Avery
• Location Springwood Corner Care Home, 53 Ascot Road, Gravesend, Kent, United Kingdom