A purpose built care home in St Albans with a unique and revolutionary ethos. Family-owned and family-run, they have a passion for care and believe that all their residents deserve the best of everything.

They have high standards within their care home and home care services, both being rated “Outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission.

THE ROLE:

As a Head Chef, you are responsible for helping to manage the operation of the kitchen including food production, staff management, supplies, presentation/service and record management and compliance with quality and safety standards. Your duties will include:

Food Preparation:

Preparing, cooking and serving of delicious and nutritious hot and cold meals, as and when required for both clients and staff.

Ensuring all meals are of the highest possible quality and attractively presented.

Providing for special dietary requirements where necessary and taking into account the preferences of individual Clients

Communication:

Participating in staff and client meetings as required.

Assisting in planning/costing menus in order to provide a balanced nutritious diet, making the best use of available fresh foods.

Budgetary/Financial Control:

Maintaining accurate records of food supplies, waste and hazard analysis, and freezer/fridge temperatures as required by regulatory bodies and the company.

Ensuring stock rotation. Assisting in the ordering of stocks and checking of deliveries, and checking and valuing stocks as required by the home manager and head chef.

Ensuring the correct and economical use of provisions and equipment within budgetary guidelines.

Training and Development:

Supervising and instructing kitchen staff members in the use of all equipment and hygiene procedures, and giving help and guidance where appropriate.

Maintaining and improving professional knowledge and competence.

Attending mandatory training days/courses, on or off site, as and when required.

Health and Safety:

Ensuring statutory health and safety standards in the kitchen and dining areas.

Making certain that chemicals / kitchen equipment are used correctly and safety procedures adhered to at all times.

Ensuring all crockery and equipment is cleaned and stored appropriately, and that the overall cleaning of the kitchen area (and, where appropriate, the dining areas) is carried out effectively.

Reporting immediately to the home manager, or person in charge, any illness of an infectious nature or accident incurred by a client, colleague, self or another.

Understanding and ensuring the implementation of the home’s health and safety, infection control and hygiene policies, and emergency and fire procedures.

Reporting to the home manager, or the maintenance person, any faulty appliances, damaged furniture, equipment or any potential hazard.

Promoting safe working practice at the Home.

General:

Contributing to the safeguarding of adults by ensuring you are aware of your role in relation to the home’s safeguarding adult’s policy, taking steps to protect residents from any form of abuse or neglect and use the appropriate reporting mechanisms to inform the home’s management of any concerns.

Adhering to all new, and changes in local and central government initiatives as and when they are implemented.

Promoting a positive personal/professional profile within the local community and ensuring the good reputation of the home at all times.

Ensuring that all information of confidential nature gained in the course of duty is not divulged to third parties.

Hours of work:·       

Week 1 working days are Monday, Thursday and Friday

Week 2 working days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

7am – 7pm

THE CANDIDATE:

• Demonstrate a minimum of 5 years catering experience.
• Demonstrate a full understanding of all sections of a commercial kitchen including: pastry and cakes, vegetable preparation, soups, sauce and larder preparation.
• Hold relevant catering qualification – City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or NVQ.
• Hold intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate and demonstrate a high standards of personal hygiene.
• Hold or work towards achieving advanced Food Hygiene certificate for supervisors.
• Be able to instruct and demonstrate food preparation skills and train junior members of staff.
• Display a positive and flexible attitude to team working.
• Demonstrate initiative.
• Exhibit a caring and understanding attitude towards the residents.
• IT skills, ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Additional information: Subject to satisfactory DBS check and reference checks