Head Chef
Reference
PRI100436
Location
Priory Hospital Barnt Green
Priory Group Division
Healthcare
Salary
£33,166.86
Hours
37.5
Vacancy Type
Permanent - Full Time
Job Advert - Division Information
Providing quality, inspiring innovation and delivering value is what we set out to achieve at Priory Healthcare. Enabling our patients with mental health illness to receive a truly integrated and holistic approach to their treatment, regardless of complexity or severity, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of our multidisciplinary clinical teams.
Job Advert Location Description
Job Title : Head Chef
Location : Banrt Green Priory Hospital
Reports To: Head of Facilities Manager
Hours : Full-Time, including weekends and holidays (365-day operation)
Job Summary:
We are looking for a talented and empathetic Head Chef to manage our kitchen and staff at Barnt Green Priory Hospital. The right candidate will oversee daily food service, ensuring that our patients receive nutritious, high-quality meals that meet their specific dietary and therapeutic needs. This crucial position helps maintain a safe, efficient, and supportive atmosphere.
Key Responsibilities:
• Kitchen Leadership & Management:
• Inspire, guide, and oversee the kitchen team to uphold strong morale and performance.
• Always maintain sufficient staffing levels, taking into account holidays and sick leave.
• Provide training, supervision, and performance reviews for kitchen staff.
• Conduct daily checks across the site and log them in our system.
• Menu Planning & Food Preparation:
• Manage a variety of nutritious menus that align with dietary needs and mental health nutrition standards.
• Ensure all meals are prepared to the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and presentation.
• Accommodate specific dietary needs, including allergies, cultural preferences, and therapeutic diets.
• Stock & Budget Control:
• Monitor inventory and ensure appropriate stock levels of fresh and dry goods.
• Liaise with suppliers, manage food orders, and maintain cost-effective practices.
• Minimise food waste through efficient planning and stock rotation.
• Health, Safety & Compliance:
• Ensure full compliance with food hygiene, kitchen safety, and environmental health standards.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and ensure all staff adhere to health and safety protocols.
• Stay informed about regulatory requirements and best practices in catering for mental health care settings.
• Complete health & safety documents through our on-site portal.
• Collaboration & Communication:
• Collaborate closely with healthcare staff to ensure that meals meet patients' therapeutic and nutritional needs.
• Keep open lines of communication with management and other departments regarding dietary plans, food service issues, and kitchen performance.
Essential Skills & Qualifications:
• Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef, ideally in a healthcare or institutional setting.
• NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery (or equivalent).
• Food Hygiene Certificate – Level 3 (minimum).
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• Empathetic and adaptable, understanding of working in a mental health care environment.
• Knowledge of nutritional standards
• Experience managing catering services 365 days a year.
• Budgeting and stock management experience.
Job Advert Role Description
Priory Hospital Barnt Green is located in the stunning Lickey Hills Country Park, 10 miles south of Birmingham City Centre. We have thirty-three beds across three wards including a ten bedded female NHS Psychiatric Intensive Care, a thirteen bedded mixed gender NHS acute service, and a ten bedded private acute ward beds for both men and women.
In addition to providing inpatient services, the hospital has a large Outpatient Department, a Daycare Service and regional conference facilities. These services are expanding to include pathways in ADHD, Autism and potentially CAMHS this year so this is a fantastic and exciting time to join our Therapy Team.
We support a wide range of clients and needs from referral systems including Consultant Psychiatrists and PMI Companies.
Division DBS info
About us
As one of the UK’s leading providers of behavioural care and specialist support services, Priory promise a challenging and fulfilling career with the support of a world class organisation willing to invest in your development. Across our network of hospitals, residential care homes and supported living services, we are making a real and lasting difference to the lives of the people we support.
As part of our wider infection control efforts, and to meet our commissioner and customer requirements, we continue to record vaccination status for all colleagues and we therefore request that you disclose this information as part of your Pre-Employment checks. Your vaccination status will not affect any offer of employment and will be held in line with GDPR requirements. We thank you for your understanding.
Disclosure
All roles will be subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. We are an equal opportunities employer. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.