Head Chef

Ever imagined being a Head Chef and still having a social life? Experience the blend of being a Head Chef while maintaining a vibrant life outside of work.

This role offers a refreshing change from the typical culinary demands- no evenings, a five-day work week and keeping the stress levels low.

You will be leading an established kitchen team at Barnet Lane Clinic in Borehamwood overseeing the preparation of large-scale meals for the staff and service users. Your role extends beyond the kitchen, as you provide guidance and training to support your team.

There are regular activities, events and special occasions throughout the year which you’ll also cater for – world food day, Christmas, Easter, family day etc. In other words, plenty of chance to be creative and do something different.

It’s a calm and pleasurable working environment, where you’ll be able to manage your workload and enjoy creating delicious meals. There’s a great social aspect to this role where you can interact with people outside the kitchen regularly.

You and your catering team will run the kitchen to hotel/restaurant standards, ensuring a smooth operation with a clean kitchen, tasty menu and happy ‘customers’.

You’ll be working in a specialist Complex Care and Recovery Service (CCRS), supporting adults with complex needs who benefit from a more tailored, long-term recovery approach beyond standard care settings.

Just imagine… great job satisfaction, home in time for dinner every night and two days off a week. Now that’s a recipe for a balanced work-life combo.

This is a Full Time position of 37.5 hours a week.

• Coordinating the day-to-day management of the catering team to run an efficient food production service.
• Ensuring that the catering service meets the nutritional and dietary needs of the service users.
• Ensuring the catering service provides meals to staff and company visitors in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
• Taking the lead in the production of a menu plan, providing a varied diet within budgetary restraints.
• Ensuring that any maintenance and servicing of catering equipment or the environment is reported to Facilities Manager/maintenance.
• Seek feedback, develop and standardise seasonal menu items to ensure nutritious and high-quality food is produced.
• Responding to any reported complaints or incidents, assisting with investigation and referring any unresolved complaints.
• Responsible for stock management and equipment in the production areas, reporting issues or concerns.
• Managing efficient staff rotas, plan agency and overtime cover and ensure absences are covered within agreed budgets.
• Assisting in the completion of monthly audits of the catering provision to ensure standards are maintained.

• GCSE or equivalent English
• Catering Diploma (City & Guilds/BTEC) and Health & Safety and Food Hygiene Certificates
• City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 (or equivalent) Basic Food Preparation Cooking
• Basic Food Hygiene (essential)
• Intermediate Food hygiene (desirable)
• Previous experience in a similar environment
• Management/Supervisory Qualification
• Previous experience in delivering a service on mass
• Menu Planning, costing, ordering, stock control and budget experience

Barnet Lane’s Complex Care and Recovery Service (CCRS) is a highly specialised, bespoke inpatient adult service designed to support individuals whose needs exceed the scope of traditional inpatient service models. The service specialises in treating patients who have experienced multiple or prolonged admissions, stalled discharge pathways, or who have been unable to progress within conventional care environments.

• Annual base salary of £33,000
• The equivalent of 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) – plus your birthday off and the option to buy additional annual leave, in our annual selection window.
• Career development and training to help you achieve your professional goals
• Access to our Rewards & Benefits platform Ely-Vate;
  Your one-stop destination for everyday savings, exclusive benefits, and…