Barchester Healthcare

Second Chef - Care Home

The closing date is 18 August 2025

Job summary

This job opportunity as a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare in Preston offers the chance to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals in a supportive and rewarding environment. The role provides a better work-life balance compared to a typical restaurant setting, with set hours and no split shifts. Barchester is a leading healthcare provider, known for its outstanding quality ratings and commitment to person-centered care.

Main duties of the job

As a Second Chef, you will assist the Head Chef in creating delicious, well-balanced menus that cater to the needs and preferences of the residents. You will have the opportunity to work with fresh, seasonal produce and deliver hotel/restaurant standards in a caring, supportive atmosphere. The role involves managing the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, menu development, and maintaining high quality and efficiency standards. You will also be responsible for stock control and regular audits.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading healthcare provider in the UK, operating 224 care homes and hospitals across the country. The company is known for its commitment to quality care, with a two-star outstanding rating from Best Companies and recognition as one of the top healthcare companies to work for in the UK.

Details

Date posted

20 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£13.89 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1327096558

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Preston

PR2 3WQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

We are looking for someone who can work 4 days a week.34 hours per week: 3 days 8:30am - 4:30pm. 1 day 8:30am - 6:30pm + alternate weekends

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK.

NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500* per referral Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UK*Terms & conditions apply

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be.

#3231

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are looking for someone who can work 4 days a week.34 hours per week: 3 days 8:30am - 4:30pm. 1 day 8:30am - 6:30pm + alternate weekends

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality. Here at Barchester, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK.

NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection Unlimited access to our generous refer a friend scheme, earning up to £500* per referral Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UK*Terms & conditions apply

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be.

#3231

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, and have a good understanding of nutrition and experience working with fresh, seasonal food. Strong communication skills, the ability to create a warm and welcoming environment, and a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents are also essential.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, and have a good understanding of nutrition and experience working with fresh, seasonal food. Strong communication skills, the ability to create a warm and welcoming environment, and a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents are also essential.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Preston

PR2 3WQ


Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Preston

PR2 3WQ


Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Team

Barchester Healthcare

Recruitment@barchester.com

Details

Date posted

20 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£13.89 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1327096558

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Preston

PR2 3WQ


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