Job summary
This is a Head Chef role at Barchester Healthcare, a leading provider of care homes in the UK. The position offers a great work-life balance with regular working hours and weekends off, as well as a range of attractive benefits. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and developing a team of kitchen staff, creating nutritious and appetizing menus for residents, and ensuring a high standard of service in the dining areas.
Main duties of the job
As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development. You will be responsible for leading, motivating and inspiring a team, developing and upskilling where required, as well as menu development, working with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes, baking fresh cakes, scones and breads, assisting the front of house team, working within budget, and creating a warm, efficient and fun environment.
About us
Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of care homes in the UK, with a focus on delivering high-quality care and support to residents. The company is committed to investing in its staff and providing them with the training and development opportunities they need to excel in their roles.
Details
Date posted
16 February 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£19 an hour
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
Job locations
Barchester Healthcare
Winchester
SO22 6NT
Job description
Job responsibilities
Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be
Your Benefits and Rewards
* Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week
* Rewarding Excellence' bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
* Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
* Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies
* Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it
* Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
* Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax
* Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide
Your Experience and Qualifications
* A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
* Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
* Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team
* Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition
* The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes
* Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
* Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard
* Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
* Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)
Your Role and Responsibilities
* Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required
* Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality
* Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked of the highest standards
* Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
* Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas
* Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control
* Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
* Ongoing recruitment and retention
* Managing the performance of the kitchen team and front of house
As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development.
We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs.
Our internal Learning and Development team also offer industry recognised apprenticeships and further qualifications to chefs and hospitality team members who are looking to build upon and/or develop their skills.
Interested? If you are a motivated and dedicated chef who is ready to be part of something special, apply today
*Terms & conditions apply
Job description
Job responsibilities
Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be
Your Benefits and Rewards
* Working days and alternate weekends only, across 4/5 days a week
* Rewarding Excellence' bonus where you will be financially rewarded up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection
* Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral
* Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts with big brands, supermarkets and travel companies
* Free access to medical specialists, who are on hand for a second opinion if you need it
* Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services
* Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax
* Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide
Your Experience and Qualifications
* A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents
* Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent
* Experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team
* Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition
* The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes
* Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus
* Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard
* Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH
* Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)
Your Role and Responsibilities
* Lead, motivate and inspire a team, develop and upskill where required
* Menu development, tailoring around residents to ensure we deliver person-centred hospitality
* Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked of the highest standards
* Bake fresh cakes, scones and breads from scratch
* Assist the front of house team with setting up of the dining areas
* Work within budget, complete regular audits and stock control
* Create a warm, efficient and fun environment
* Ongoing recruitment and retention
* Managing the performance of the kitchen team and front of house
As a Head Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development.
We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs.
Our internal Learning and Development team also offer industry recognised apprenticeships and further qualifications to chefs and hospitality team members who are looking to build upon and/or develop their skills.
Interested? If you are a motivated and dedicated chef who is ready to be part of something special, apply today
*Terms & conditions apply
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* You will hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team, and have a good understanding of working with fresh seasonal food and nutrition. You should also have experience of working with a front of house team and knowledge of HACCP and COSHH.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* You will hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have experience in leading, motivating and inspiring a team, and have a good understanding of working with fresh seasonal food and nutrition. You should also have experience of working with a front of house team and knowledge of HACCP and COSHH.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer name
Barchester Healthcare
Address
Barchester Healthcare
Winchester
SO22 6NT
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Barchester Healthcare
Address
Barchester Healthcare
Winchester
SO22 6NT
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)