Job summary This role as a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare is an excellent opportunity for a qualified and experienced chef to work in a care home setting. The job involves delivering high-quality, nutritious meals while working closely with residents to create menus that cater to their individual needs and preferences. Barchester Healthcare is a leading healthcare provider in the UK, known for its commitment to providing exceptional care and a positive work environment for its employees. Main duties of the job As a Second Chef, you will assist the Head Chef in managing the kitchen and creating seasonal, fresh, and well-balanced menus. You will work closely with residents to understand their dietary requirements and preferences, and use your culinary skills to deliver hotel/restaurant-standard meals. The role also involves managing stock control, completing regular audits, and ensuring a warm and welcoming environment in the kitchen. Barchester Healthcare offers a competitive benefits package, including bonus schemes, discounts, and access to counseling and legal services. About us Barchester Healthcare is a leading healthcare provider in the UK, with over 224 care homes and hospitals across the country. The company is known for its commitment to quality care and creating a positive work environment for its employees. Barchester has been recognized for its excellence, receiving a two-star outstanding rating from Best Companies and being ranked among the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and the top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK. Date posted 25 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £15 an hour Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 1267880976 Job locations Barchester Healthcare Maidstone ME17 3LW Job description Job responsibilities Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK. NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500 for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500 per referral Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UKTerms & conditions applyIf you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebre life, Barchester is the place to be. 0854 Job description Job responsibilities Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK. NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500 for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500 per referral Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UKTerms & conditions applyIf you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebre life, Barchester is the place to be. 0854 Person Specification Qualifications Essential You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have a good understanding of nutrition, and have experience working with fresh, seasonal food. Strong communication skills, the ability to engage with residents, and a good understanding of HACCP are also required. Person Specification Qualifications Essential You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have a good understanding of nutrition, and have experience working with fresh, seasonal food. Strong communication skills, the ability to engage with residents, and a good understanding of HACCP are also required. Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name Barchester Healthcare Address Barchester Healthcare Maidstone ME17 3LW Employer's website https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)