HEAD CHEF
Up to £35,400 per annum
Lead a Kitchen That Truly Makes a Difference
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead the kitchen within a large, well-established care home in Benfleet. This is more than just a cooking role — it’s an opportunity to positively impact residents’ daily lives through nutritious, high-quality meals prepared with care and consistency.
If you are a strong kitchen leader who values quality, organisation, and purpose-driven work, this could be the ideal next step in your career.
The Role As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, ensuring residents receive balanced, appetising, and well-presented meals tailored to their individual dietary requirements.
You will:
Lead, manage, and develop the kitchen team
Plan and deliver seasonal, nutritious menus
Cater for specialist and texture-modified diets
Manage stock control, ordering, and budget effectively
Ensure full compliance with food hygiene and safety standards
Work closely with care staff to meet residents’ needs and preferences
Organise themed meals and special dining events What We’re Looking For
Proven experience as a Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef
Experience within care homes, healthcare, education, or high-volume catering preferred
Strong knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements
Confident managing rotas, GP margins, and stock control
Excellent leadership and communication skills
Food Hygiene Level 3 (or willingness to obtain)
A genuine passion for delivering food that enhances wellbeing The Package
Salary up to £35,400 per annum
40 hours per week
4 days on, 3 days off rota (10-hour shifts)
Alternate weekends
Supportive working environment
Long-term stability and career progression opportunities Why Join? In this role, your food will do more than satisfy hunger — it will bring comfort, familiarity, and enjoyment to residents every single day. You’ll be part of a team that understands the importance of quality dining in later life.
If you’re ready to lead a kitchen where care and quality go hand in hand, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today to find out more.
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