Head Chef - Care Home
About this role
Job Title: Head Chef
Client Location: Peony Court, 58 Addiscombe Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 5PH
Agency: Supportive Bridge Staffing
Salary: £43,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week (Permanent, Day Shifts across 4/5 days)
Elevate Your Culinary Career with Better Work-Life Balance
At Supportive Bridge Staffing, we match exceptional talent with premier healthcare and hospitality providers across the UK. We are currently seeking a talented and passionate Head Chef on behalf of our client, Barchester Healthcare, for their prestigious Peony Court care home in Croydon.
If you are looking to deliver restaurant-standard cuisine without the long late nights, split shifts, or burnout of traditional kitchens, this role offers the perfect blend of culinary freedom, leadership, and personal balance.
Your Role & Responsibilities
As Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen, leading a dedicated team to deliver high-quality, nutritious, and wholesome dishes made from fresh seasonal produce.
Key Responsibilities:
Culinary Leadership: Lead, motivate, and mentor kitchen and front-of-house staff, driving continuous team development and high performance.
Menu Development: Create tailored, person-centred, and appetizing menus (including fresh cakes, scones, and breads baked daily) that cater to resident preferences and nutritional needs.
Specialised Dining: Oversee texture-modified diets aligned with the IDDSI framework (training provided if you are new to the care sector).
Kitchen & Financial Management: Manage food budgets, stock control, regular audits, recruitment, and strict adherence to HACCP and COSHH standards.
Dining Experience: Collaborate with front-of-house teams to set up dining areas to an exceptional hotel/restaurant standard, engaging directly with residents for feedback.
Your Experience & Qualifications
We are looking for a warm, personable leader who is passionate about food quality and resident well-being.
Requirements:
Professional culinary qualification (City & Guilds / NVQ / SVQ or equivalent).
Strong track record of working with fresh, seasonal ingredients and understanding nutrition.
Proven leadership experience in running a kitchen, managing performance, and inspiring a team.
solid understanding of HACCP, COSHH, and kitchen safety regulations.
Excellent communication skills and a friendly, engaging approach with residents and staff.
Benefits & Rewards
Great Work-Life Balance: Working days only with alternate weekends (across 4/5 days a week)—no split shifts or late nights.
Competitive Salary: £43,000 per annum.
Incentive Schemes: Financial rewards up to £500 for CQC inspection outcomes (Good/Outstanding)* and an unlimited 'Refer a Friend' scheme (up to £500 per referral)*.
Career Growth: Access to the renowned Barchester Chef Academy, industry-recognised apprenticeships, and L&D programs.
Health & Lifestyle Perks: Retail/leisure discounts, free second-opinion medical specialists, confidential counselling/legal support, tax code review services, and an optional monthly staff lottery.