Head Chef

Heathlands Care Home is a modern, purpose-built home in Chingford, offering high-quality nursing, dementia, palliative and short-term care for up to 84 residents. Set within private landscaped gardens, the home features spacious ensuite bedrooms across three floors, dedicated care teams, and a warm, homely atmosphere focused on dignity, comfort and personalised support.

Head Chef – Heathlands Care Home

Location: Heathlands Care Home, 2b Hatch Lane, Chingford, London, E4 6NF
Reports to: Registered Manager
Hours: Full-time, rota-based (including weekends and public holidays)

About the Role

Are you a passionate and experienced Head Chef looking to make a real difference through your food? We're looking for a talented culinary leader to take charge of our kitchen at Heathlands Care Home, creating nutritious, delicious, and beautifully presented meals that bring comfort and joy to our residents.

As Head Chef, you'll oversee all aspects of catering — from menu planning and food preparation to leading a dedicated kitchen team. You'll champion high standards of hygiene, safety, and quality, ensuring every meal reflects the warmth and care at the heart of our home.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and cook a variety of balanced, nutritious, and appealing meals and snacks.
• Create and maintain menus that cater to residents' preferences, cultural backgrounds, and dietary needs.
• Manage stock levels, ordering, and budgets efficiently and in line with environmental health standards.
• Lead and develop your kitchen team through supervision, appraisals, and rota planning.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised kitchen environment at all times.
• Liaise with care staff to support residents with changing dietary requirements.
• Organise quarterly food quality meetings with residents and families to gather feedback and continuously improve.
• Uphold all food hygiene, health & safety, and HACCP regulations.

About You

You're a skilled and creative chef with a flair for home-style, wholesome cooking and a genuine desire to enhance residents' wellbeing through good food. You'll have strong leadership skills and a calm, professional manner that inspires your team.

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven experience as a Sous Chef or Head Chef (minimum 2 years)
• Strong understanding of HACCP and food safety standards
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• A proactive, hands-on approach to work
• Ability to manage staff effectively and maintain a positive kitchen culture

Why Join Us?

At Heathlands Care Home, you'll be part of a caring, supportive team that values your skills and creativity. You'll have the opportunity to shape the dining experience for our residents and take pride in knowing your work truly makes a difference every day.

Ready to bring your passion for cooking to a role that truly matters?
Apply today and join us in creating meals that nourish, comfort, and delight our residents.