Job summary This role as a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare offers the opportunity to work in a care home environment, delivering high-quality, nutritious meals while maintaining a good work-life balance. The successful candidate will have experience in working with fresh, seasonal produce and creating appealing menus for residents. Main duties of the job As a Second Chef, you will assist the Head Chef in developing and implementing menus that cater to the dietary needs and preferences of the care home residents. You will be responsible for managing the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, working within budget constraints, and maintaining high standards of food safety and hygiene. The role also involves collaborating with residents to tailor the menus to their tastes and requirements. About us Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of healthcare services in the UK, operating 224 care homes and hospitals. The company is committed to delivering person-centred care and has received outstanding ratings from the Care Quality Commission. Barchester is also recognized as one of the best health and social care companies to work for in the UK. Date posted 18 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £14 an hour Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 1262408395 Job locations Barchester Healthcare Church Stretton SY6 7AA Job description Job responsibilities 30 hours per week, 3 x 10 hour shifts, alternate weekend working required. 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 apply If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be. 8765. 2003 Job description Job responsibilities 30 hours per week, 3 x 10 hour shifts, alternate weekend working required. 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 apply If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be. 8765. 2003 Person Specification Qualifications Essential The ideal candidate will hold a City & Guilds, NVQ, or SVQ qualification in catering, along with a good understanding of nutrition and experience in working with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Strong communication skills and the ability to create a warm and welcoming environment are also essential. Person Specification Qualifications Essential The ideal candidate will hold a City & Guilds, NVQ, or SVQ qualification in catering, along with a good understanding of nutrition and experience in working with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Strong communication skills and the ability to create a warm and welcoming environment are also essential. 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 Church Stretton SY6 7AA Employer's website https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)