Job details
- Salary £13.00 to £16.00 per hour
- Role Cook / Chef
- Hours Full Time
- Location Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
- Job Reference carehome.co.uk
Job summary
About Us
Falcon House Care Home is a well-established, family-run residential home that has been providing high-quality care for over 35 years. We pride ourselves on offering a warm, homely environment where residents enjoy freshly prepared, nutritious meals every day.
We are now looking for a dedicated and passionate Head Chef to join our team and lead the kitchen operations.
Key Responsibilities
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Plan, prepare, and cook balanced, home-style meals to meet residents’ dietary needs and preferences.
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Manage and supervise a small kitchen team, ensuring teamwork and high standards.
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Place and manage food and supply orders, maintain stock levels, and record all deliveries.
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Maintain all kitchen invoices and provide them to the management team accurately and on time.
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Ensure food hygiene, cleanliness, and kitchen safety standards are met in line with Health & Safety and CQC guidelines.
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Create seasonal menus and contribute ideas for themed events (e.g., Christmas lunches, summer BBQs, cultural celebrations).
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Work collaboratively with care staff to ensure residents’ mealtime experience is enjoyable and personal.
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Keep the kitchen environment organised, tidy, and compliant with all cleaning schedules and audits.
Skills & Experience
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Proven experience as a Head Chef or Cook, preferably in a care home or similar catering environment.
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Strong leadership and communication skills with a hands-on approach.
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Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
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Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and occasional evenings.
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Knowledge of dietary requirements (texture-modified diets, allergens, etc.) is highly desirable.
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Food Hygiene Level 3 (or willingness to update qualification).
Why Join Falcon House?
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Supportive and friendly team environment.
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Opportunities for training and career growth.
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A chance to make a genuine difference in residents’ daily lives.
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Warm, community-focused workplace culture.
Skills / Qualifications:
- Head Chef
- Care Home Chef
- Kitchen Supervisor
- Menu Planning
- Elderly Care Catering
- Food Preparation
- Nutrition and Diet Planning
- Allergen Awareness
- Food Hygiene Level 3
- Health & Safety Compliance
- Stock Control
- Ordering and Invoicing
- Team Leadership
- Kitchen Management
- HACCP
- NVQ Level 2/3 in Professional Cookery
- Flexible Working Hours
- Resident-focused Catering
- Quality Home-Style Cooking
- Cleanliness and Organisation
- Food Safety Standards
- Fresh Ingredients
- Caring Environment
- Communication Skills
- Customer Service in Care Setting