Care Home Chef

Location: Lymington, Hampshire Salary: From £40,000, plus overtime Shift Pattern: 4 days on / 4 days off, 6:30am – 6:30pm (42 hours per week)   We are seeking an experienced, passionate, and versatile Head Chef to join our team in a well-established care home located in Lymington, Hampshire. If you are looking for a role with a great work-life balance and the opportunity to make a real impact, this could be perfect for you!   Key Responsibilities: Prepare a wide variety of home-cooked meals, including fresh cakes, using local, fresh ingredients. Create nutritionally balanced meals to meet the needs of residents across multiple mealtimes. Engage with residents, seeking their feedback to continually improve the dining experience. Lead and manage the kitchen and waiting teams, ensuring high standards are maintained. Showcase your culinary creativity by preparing meals for community events hosted at the home. Benefits: No late nights – shifts finish at 6:30pm, giving you a great work-life balance. Paid breaks are included in your hourly rate. Annual pay review. Uniforms are provided and meals are available while on duty. Opportunities for overtime and career progression. Contributory pension scheme. In this role, you'll be working in a modern, well-equipped kitchen, leading your team with creativity and pride. You'll be responsible for delivering delicious, comforting meals using locally sourced ingredients while considering the individual needs and preferences of residents. By engaging with residents and staff, you’ll foster a sense of community and ensure every meal is both nourishing and enjoyable.   About You: Passionate about creating an exceptional dining experience for residents. A great communicator with a positive, can-do attitude and a sense of fun. Experience leading a kitchen team and creating menus that cater to diverse needs. Qualified to City & Guilds 706 1/2 or NVQ Level 3 in Catering/Cookery. Previous experience in a similar Head Chef role, ideally within a care home or hospitality environment. If you are looking to lead a kitchen where you can make a meaningful impact on residents’ well-being while maintaining an excellent work-life balance, we would love to hear from you! Please apply and a team member will be back to you within 48 hours.    #MCG1