Barchester Healthcare

Second Chef - Bank - Care Home

The closing date is 01 May 2026

Job summary

This role as a Second Chef in a care home setting offers an opportunity to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients and create nutritious, flavorsome meals for residents. You will assist the Head Chef in menu development and work to deliver high-quality dishes in a warm and welcoming environment. Barchester Healthcare is a leading healthcare provider in the UK, offering long-term career growth and development opportunities.

Main duties of the job

As a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare, you will play a crucial role in the kitchen, working alongside the Head Chef to develop and deliver high-quality, nutritious menus for residents. You will have the chance to work with fresh, seasonal produce and tailor the menus to the preferences of the residents, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable dining experience. Your responsibilities will include managing the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, assisting with menu development, maintaining stock control, and leading and motivating the kitchen team. Barchester Healthcare is committed to providing a warm and welcoming environment for both residents and staff, and this role offers the opportunity to be part of a company that values quality, celebrates life, and provides a good work-life balance.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK's leading healthcare providers, with over 224 homes and hospitals across the country. The company is consistently reinvesting and growing, with several new build homes due to open and join the Barchester family. Barchester is also the only healthcare provider in the UK to be accredited as one of the best companies to work for, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for career growth and development.

Details

Date posted

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£15.39 to £17.37 an hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

1468644201

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 7JZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

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 bank 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.

Barchester is one of the UKs leading healthcare providers, with over 224 homes and hospitals across the country. We are consistently reinvesting and growing, with several more new build homes due open and join the Barchester family. Barchester can offer long term career growth and opportunities for ambitious chefs who pride themselves on working at the highest of standards.

We are also the only healthcare provider in the UK to be accredited as one of the best companies to work.

NEED TO HAVE

A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent Experience in helping lead and inspire a team A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Good understanding of HACCP

NEED TO DO

Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist the Head Chef in menu development Work fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standardsHelp create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control To assist in leading and motivating a team

REWARDS PACKAGE

Work life balance - working days with alternate weekends Free learning and development A range of holiday, retail and leisure discounts Opportunity to showcase your talent at the annual Barchester Hospitality Awards Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend bonus scheme

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

Pay rate - £15.39 + 12.07% = 17.24

Job description

Job responsibilities

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 bank 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.

Barchester is one of the UKs leading healthcare providers, with over 224 homes and hospitals across the country. We are consistently reinvesting and growing, with several more new build homes due open and join the Barchester family. Barchester can offer long term career growth and opportunities for ambitious chefs who pride themselves on working at the highest of standards.

We are also the only healthcare provider in the UK to be accredited as one of the best companies to work.

NEED TO HAVE

A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent Experience in helping lead and inspire a team A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Good understanding of HACCP

NEED TO DO

Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist the Head Chef in menu development Work fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standardsHelp create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control To assist in leading and motivating a team

REWARDS PACKAGE

Work life balance - working days with alternate weekends Free learning and development A range of holiday, retail and leisure discounts Opportunity to showcase your talent at the annual Barchester Hospitality Awards Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend bonus scheme

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

Pay rate - £15.39 + 12.07% = 17.24

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, and have experience in helping lead and inspire a team. A good understanding of nutrition and experience of working with fresh, seasonal food are also essential. Strong communication skills and the ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within the home are important.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, and have experience in helping lead and inspire a team. A good understanding of nutrition and experience of working with fresh, seasonal food are also essential. Strong communication skills and the ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within the home are important.

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

Kettering

NN15 7JZ


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 7JZ


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

02 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£15.39 to £17.37 an hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

1468644201

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Kettering

NN15 7JZ


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