Kitchen Chef

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Kitchen Chef to join our catering team, preparing high-quality, nutritious meals for residents in care homes. You will play a vital role in ensuring residents’ dietary and nutritional needs are met, while maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards.

This role is ideal for an experienced chef with a passion for cooking and the ability to adapt meals for specialist diets within a healthcare environment.

About the Role

Meal Preparation & Cooking

• Prepare and cook a variety of meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs, including special diets (e.g. IDDSI texture-modified diets, diabetic, allergy-specific).
• Ensure meals are balanced, well-presented, and meet portion requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organised kitchen at all times.
• Adhere to food hygiene, infection control, and health & safety standards.
• Manage stock levels, monitor supplies, and support with ordering.
• Work alongside care and management teams to ensure all nutritional requirements are met.
• Support, mentor, or oversee kitchen assistants and catering staff when required.

Compliance & Documentation

• Complete all required kitchen records (temperature logs, cleaning schedules, compliance forms).
• Follow company policies, environmental health regulations, and care sector standards.

Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (including IDDSI training)
• Basic Health & Safety training
• Professional cooking experience in a care home, healthcare, education, or hospitality setting

Preferred (Training Provided if Needed):

• Experience with care sector dietary requirements

Personal Qualities

• Passion for creating fresh, nutritious meals
• Reliable, well-organised, and able to work independently
• Adaptable to different dietary requirements and menu changes
• Strong teamwork and communication skills

Salary & Benefits

• Flexible shift patterns across multiple care homes in Hampshire
• Support with further professional development
• Potential progression into a permanent role with our client, depending on performance and demonstrated potential