Head Chef. Dalton Court Care Home
Hourly rate: TBC
Contracted hours: 40 per week
Please note we are currently unable to offer Visa Sponsorship for this vacancy
Nestled in the charming town of Cockermouth and with stunning views of the Lake District fells, 60-bedded Dalton Court offers high-quality, specialist Nursing and Dementia care in a peaceful and picturesque setting. We’re proud to also offer palliative and end-of-life care, along with flexible respite stays, tailored to support individuals and families when they need it most.
We are now seeking a passionate and skilled Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and set the standard for nutritious, high-quality meals that enhance the wellbeing and enjoyment of our residents.
Key Responsibilities.
As Head Chef, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of food preparation and kitchen operations. You’ll design seasonal menus that cater to a variety of dietary needs, manage food safety standards, and lead a team to deliver delicious, well-balanced meals every day.
Plan and prepare nutritious, appealing meals tailored to residents’ dietary requirements and preferences.
Lead and manage the kitchen team, ensuring high standards of food hygiene, safety, and presentation.
Maintain stock control, ordering, and budget management in line with operational needs.
Collaborate with care staff to support residents with specific nutritional needs, including dementia and palliative care.
Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations and internal policies.
Create a positive and inclusive kitchen culture that supports teamwork and continuous improvement.
Sandstone employees enjoy a range of benefits:
Free uniform. Free Meals*. Free DBS.
Discounts on the high street* - with retailers like Asda, Costa and Argos
Refer-a-Friend - and get a £250 bonus
Flexible pay* - choose when you are paid, and get money management tips too
Free wellbeing programme - helping you look after your physical and mental health
Employee recognition scheme - we recognise and reward great work
Pension scheme - helping you plan for your retirement
In-house training - on-going face-to-face training, tailored to you
Career opportunities - The chance to ‘make your mark’ and play a key role
*Overtime is paid for working over fulltime hours. Free meals are given if working over an 8 hour shift and are subject to terms and conditions. Discounts are accessed using our ‘Reward Me’ app. Flexible pay is available via ‘WAGESTREAM’.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking an experienced chef who understands the critical role that mealtimes play in the well-being of our residents. Ideal candidates will:
Be highly communicative, hardworking, and possess strong leadership skills.
Have significant experience in managing kitchens and delivering outstanding meals.
Demonstrate expertise in menu planning, budget management, and nutrition.
Hold relevant qualifications such as the City & Guilds Diploma in Professional Cookery (Levels 1 & 2) and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
Have knowledge of EHO regulations and experience with IDDSI diets, texture-modified food, and dysphagia management (highly desirable)
Sandstone Care Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
We welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds. We aim for diversity within each service, as we think it is important that the Social Care Workforce represents the people it serves. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds including disabled candidates, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, LGBTQ+ as well as non-binary candidates, and those with experience of mental health.