Care Home Chef / Cook | Heather Vale, Chesterfield, Derbyshire £14.32 per hour | 30hrs/week | 3 days per week, 4 days off | 7:30am-5:30pm shift times | Every other weekend off
Anchor – England's largest not-for-profit care provider
The Role We're looking for an experienced Chef or Cook to join our kitchen at Heather Vale in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Working alongside our Chef Manager, you'll prepare fresh, seasonal, home-cooked meals for 39 residents daily — cooking from scratch and contributing directly to menu planning and kitchen operations.
When the Chef Manager is away, you'll step up and run the kitchen independently. With just 3 days per week and every other weekend off, this is one of the most flexible part-time chef roles available in the Chesterfield area — no late nights, no split shifts, and a genuine work-life balance.
What We're Looking For
1. Proven experience as a chef or cook, with a genuine passion for cooking from fresh ingredients
2. Confident delivering seasonal, balanced menus from scratch
3. Strong knife skills and a solid grounding in classic cooking techniques
4. A creative approach to food — someone who takes pride in presentation and flavour
5. Comfortable stepping up to lead a kitchen when required
6. Understanding of food hygiene and safety standards (Level 2 minimum, Level 3 preferred)
7. Right to work in the UK (required)
What You'll Get
8. £14.32 per hour
9. 30 hours over just 3 days — one of the most flexible chef schedules available in the region
10. Every other weekend off
11. No late nights or split shifts
12. A clear, supported pathway to Chef Manager for the right candidate
13. Matched pension up to 8%
14. Free Blue Light Card + big-brand discounts
15. £250 refer-a-friend bonus
16. Access to Leadership Pathways online learning and development
17. Chance to compete in our annual Chef of the Year competition
18. Gym, fitness and wellbeing discounts
19. Mental health support and free life assurance
About Anchor We're England's largest not-for-profit care and housing provider, meaning every saving is reinvested into our staff, residents, and facilities — better pay, better training, and a better workplace. For an ambitious chef, that means genuine support to grow.
"I've been here three years and never looked back — the hours are brilliant and the team feels like family." — Current Chef, Anchor
Hear from our chefs: anchor.org.uk/careers/care-home-chef-and-catering-jobs
Apply in minutes. We'll be in touch within 2 working days.
Anchor – a great place to work
Anchor is England’s largest not-for-profit providers of care and housing for older people. Our heartfelt ambition is to transform housing and care so everyone can have a home where they love living in later life.
We’re not-for-profit which means every penny we make or save is invested in the people who live with us, the places they live and the people who work here. That means a better standard of care and customer service, better wages, more investment in training and development and improved facilities.
A rewarding environment
From health and happiness to finance and your career, we’ll give you all the support you need.
Health & happiness
20. Gym, fitness and wellbeing discounts
21. Mental health support
22. Flexible working options
Finance
23. Pension plan – contribute between 4% and 8% and we’ll match it or better
24. Quick and easy pension transfer service
25. Savings and financial advice, loans, free life assurance
26. Discounts on shopping, holidays, phones, technology and more
Career
27. Ongoing personal and professional development programme
28. Leadership Pathways online learning resources
29. Career progression and promotion opportunities
To see our full range of benefits, check out our dedicated
Celebrating diversity, celebrating you
Anchor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aim to celebrate diversity and inclusion in all that we do, as we know that the more diverse our colleagues are, the better care and support we can give to our residents and each other.
We are proud to have an LGBT+ group for our residents, and also Disability, LGBT+ and race and ethnicity colleague networks. These work to celebrate diversity, address concerns, review policy and practice and empower their members. We also have an Inclusive Ambassador network to allow all colleagues to be part of promoting diversity and to be an ally to others.
We are a member of Inclusive Employers, a Stonewall Diversity Champion and a signatory to the Care Leaver Covenant and HouseProud Pledge schemes.