Head Chef

Overview

As a Head Chef at HC-One, kindness is at the heart of everything you do. It's a quality that touches every part of life in our Dementia, Nursing, Residential, and Specialist care homes. Residents are individuals with their own life stories, and by joining HC-One you can give something meaningful back through care and commitment.

As Head Chef, you'll inspire your kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals that Residents will genuinely enjoy. You’ll ensure every dish supports health and wellbeing, considering individual dietary needs, cultural preferences, and nutritional requirements.

With hygiene and safety front of mind, you’ll manage the kitchen efficiently—overseeing stock, budgets, orders, and compliance with food safety standards such as HACCP. You’ll work closely with central teams to maintain nutritional excellence while running a smooth, well-organised kitchen operation. You’ll also shape mealtimes into enjoyable, ambient dining experiences to enhance Residents’ quality of life.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility; you should recognise signs of possible abuse, harm or neglect and know what to do if there are concerns. All colleagues are required to attend safeguarding training appropriate to their role and undertake additional training as needed.

Lead and develop the kitchen team to deliver high-quality, nutritious meals aligned with Residents’ health, dietary, cultural, and nutritional needs. Manage stock, budgets, orders, and HACCP compliance to ensure safe, efficient kitchen operations. Collaborate with central teams to sustain nutritional excellence and create a welcoming dining environment.

• An S/NVQ2 in Catering & Hospitality or Professional Cookery
• A minimum Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate
• A good understanding of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)

Beyond qualifications, we value energy, leadership, and the ability to motivate others. You’ll be organised, able to plan ahead, and take pride in delivering excellent service every day. Most importantly, you’ll be kind, considerate, and committed to making our care homes a great place to live and work.

We are also enhancing the way we support residents through digital care planning. This technology is helping us streamline care, improve outcomes, and make daily tasks more efficient. You’ll be supported every step of the way as we grow our digital capabilities.

At HC-One, kindness is more than a word—it’s a way of life. We believe caring means caring about what matters most to Residents so they can live their best possible lives. We are committed to inclusivity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

To provide the kindest possible care, everyone at HC-One embraces five key qualities—Kindness the HC-One Way: we are curious, compassionate, creative, courageous, and dependable.

We offer opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues, support for personal and professional development, and clear career pathways including regional and national opportunities. We use digital care planning to streamline care and improve outcomes.

Please note:

We can only consider applications from individuals who already have full right to work in the UK. We cannot offer sponsorship or accept applications from those on a time-limited visa.

You will enjoy access to a wide range of benefits to support your wellbeing and career development, including:

• Hourly rate subject to experience and qualifications
• 1K Welcome Bonus
• Paid Enhanced DBS/PVG
• Free uniform
• A nutritious meal during a shift of eight hours or more
• Company pension scheme
• 28 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• Group life assurance cover
• Wagestream – financial wellbeing and flexible access to pay as you need it
• Award-winning learning and development and support to achieve qualifications
• GP online service for you and your children under 16
• Colleague discounts including high street offers
• Wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition schemes including Kindness in Care and Long Service Awards
• Refer-a-friend scheme up to £1000 per referral