Head Chef - Care Home
About this role
Job Advertisement: Head Chef (Permanent - Full-Time)
Position Overview
Role: Head Chef - Care Home (Permanent)
Location: Newlands Care Centre, Newlands Park, Workington, Cumbria, CA14 3NE
Pay Rate: £17.69 per hour
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Hours: 40.00 hours per week (Working days and alternate weekends only across 4/5 days)
Shift: Days
Closing Date: 19 September 2026
About the Role
Are you a passionate, qualified chef looking for a better work-life balance without the long hours and split shifts of traditional hospitality?
Working as a permanent Head Chef through our supportive bridge staffing agency on behalf of Barchester Healthcare, you will enjoy full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus using fresh, seasonal produce. You will lead, motivate, and upskill your kitchen team, bake fresh goods from scratch, manage budgets, and engage directly with residents to deliver exceptional restaurant-quality dining experiences. Plus, you will have exclusive access to the Barchester Chef Academy and industry-recognized apprenticeships!
Key Responsibilities (What You'll Do)
Lead, motivate, inspire, and manage the performance of the kitchen and front-of-house teams.
Design and develop person-centred menus tailored around residents' preferences and nutritional needs.
Cook high-quality, wholesome dishes using fresh, seasonal produce and bake fresh cakes, scones, and breads from scratch.
Manage kitchen budgets, complete regular audits, stock control, and ongoing recruitment.
Work collaboratively with front-of-house teams to ensure dining areas are set to a high standard.
Candidate Requirements (What You'll Need)
A personable, warm approach with a genuine passion for resident wellbeing.
City & Guilds, NVQ/SVQ, or equivalent culinary qualifications.
Proven experience in leading and inspiring a kitchen team.
Strong background working with fresh seasonal food and a solid understanding of nutrition.
Good working knowledge of HACCP, COSHH, and IDDSI modified diet frameworks (full training provided if new to care!).
Rewards & Benefits Package
Competitive Pay: Excellent hourly rate of £17.69 for 40 hours per week.
Work-Life Balance: Working days and alternate weekends only across 4/5 days a week.
Excellence Bonus: Financial rewards of up to £500* for Good or Outstanding CQC inspections.
Professional Growth: Access to the exclusive Barchester Chef Academy, continuous training, and industry-recognized apprenticeships.
Perks & Extras: 'Refer a Friend' scheme (earning up to £500* per referral), retail and leisure discounts, free medical specialist access, free confidential counselling, tax code review service, and a monthly staff lottery.