Care Home Chef

Job Summary

We are looking for a compassionate and skilled Care Home Chef to prepare nutritious, home-style meals that meet the needs of our residents in line with CQC standards and best practice. The ideal candidate will understand special diets, texture-modified foods, and the importance of nutrition and hydration in care settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare fresh, balanced, and appealing meals for residents
  
• Adapt menus to meet:
  
• Texture-modified diets (pureed, soft, IDDSI levels)
  
• Cultural and religious needs (Halal, vegetarian, etc.)
  
• Medical and special diets (diabetic, low salt, high calorie, allergies)
  
• Ensure hydration and regular snack availability
  
• Monitor resident preferences and collect feedback
  
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and hygiene
  
• Complete:
  
• Temperature records
  
• Cleaning schedules
  
• Food logs and audits
  
• Follow all food safety and infection control procedures
  
• Order stock and manage kitchen budgets
  

Qualifications & Training

Essential:

• Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate
  
• Allergen Awareness Training
  
• Infection Prevention & Control training
  

Desirable:

• Level 2 or 3 NVQ in Professional Cookery/Catering
  
• Basic First Aid
  
• Dementia Awareness Training
  

Experience

• Experience in care homes, hospitals, schools, or large-scale catering
  
• Strong understanding of:
  
• Texture-modified diets
  
• Cultural and religious food requirements
  
• Special medical diets
  

Knowledge & Compliance

• Good working knowledge of:
  
• HACCP
  
• Environmental Health standards
  
• COSHH
  
• CQC nutrition and hydration standards
  
• Ability to maintain accurate kitchen and food safety records
  

Safeguarding & Compliance

• Enhanced DBS check required
  
• Right to work in the UK
  
• Minimum of 2 references
  
• Safeguarding Adults training
  

Skills & Personal Qualities

• Compassionate and resident-focused
  
• Excellent time management and multitasking skills
  
• Strong communication skills
  
• Team player with leadership ability (for senior chef roles)
  
• Ability to follow individual care plans
  

How to Apply

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