Head Chef - Care Home
About this role
Head Chef – Care Home
Agency: Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency
Client / Setting: Oulton Park Care Centre (Barchester Healthcare)
Location: Union Lane, Oulton Broad, Suffolk, NR32 3AX
Pay Rate: £17.00 per hour
Hours: 40.00 hours per week (Permanent)
Shift Pattern: Days (Working across 4/5 days a week with alternate weekends – No split shifts or late nights!)
Looking for restaurant autonomy and quality with an exceptional work-life balance?
At Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency, we specialize in connecting exceptional culinary leaders with premier healthcare providers. On behalf of our client, Barchester Healthcare, we are recruiting a talented, passionate, and motivated Head Chef to lead the culinary operations at Oulton Park Care Centre in Oulton Broad, Suffolk.
📞 Call us to discuss your next role: 0800 048 5434
ABOUT THE ROLE
As Head Chef, you will take full ownership of the kitchen and front-of-house hospitality, creating restaurant-quality dining experiences tailored around residents' tastes and nutritional needs. You will enjoy complete autonomy over menu creation using fresh, seasonal produce, backed by Barchester’s prestigious Barchester Chef Academy for continuous professional development.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead, motivate, and develop the kitchen and front-of-house team, managing recruitment, performance, and retention.
Develop tailored, person-centred menus featuring wholesome dishes, freshly baked cakes, scones, and breads from scratch.
Manage modified diets utilizing the IDDSI framework (training provided if you are new to the care sector).
Oversee kitchen budgets, stock control, food ordering, and regular safety audits.
Ensure dining areas are set to high standards in collaboration with the front-of-house team.
Maintain rigorous standards of food safety, hygiene, and compliance in line with HACCP and COSHH regulations.
ABOUT YOU
We are seeking an inspirational culinary leader with a warm, personable approach and a passion for high-quality hospitality.
Requirements & Experience:
Formal culinary qualification (City & Guilds / NVQ / SVQ or equivalent).
Proven track record in leading, mentoring, and inspiring a kitchen team.
Strong experience working with fresh, seasonal produce and an understanding of nutrition.
Solid working knowledge of HACCP and COSHH guidelines.
Excellent communication skills with the confidence to engage directly with residents and families.
REWARDS & BENEFITS PACKAGE
In exchange for your culinary leadership and passion, you will receive £17.00 per hour, plus a market-leading benefits and rewards package:
Work-Life Balance: Day shifts across 4/5 days per week with alternate weekends (no split shifts).
‘Rewarding Excellence’ Bonus: Financial rewards of up to £500 for Good or Outstanding CQC inspections.
Refer-a-Friend Scheme: Earn up to £500 per unlimited referral.
Barchester Chef Academy: Access to industry-leading masterclasses, culinary development, and recognized apprenticeships.
Health & Wellbeing Perks: Free second-opinion medical specialist access, confidential counselling, and legal services.
Retail & Leisure Savings: Exclusive discounts across big brands, supermarkets, and travel.
Financial Services: Free Tax Code Review service and optional entry into the monthly staff lottery.