Head Chef

Lead the kitchen. Inspire your team. Make mealtimes matter.

Come and make a difference with Westgate Healthcare! #CareWithUsAtWestgate

We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Head Chef to take the lead at Chestnut Manor Care Home in Wanstead, London.

This is more than a kitchen management role. You’ll lead your team, bring creativity to the menu, and make sure our residents enjoy delicious, nutritious food that reflects their individual tastes, needs and preferences.

If you’re an experienced chef who loves great food, enjoys leading a team and takes pride in creating meals that people genuinely look forward to, we’d love to hear from you.

About The Role

The Details

£40,000 per year

40 hours per week

7:00am–5:30pm

4 days over 7, including weekends

What Will You Be Doing?

As Head Chef, you’ll take ownership of the day-to-day running of the kitchen while leading and supporting your team to deliver a consistently high standard of food and service.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading, managing and developing the kitchen team
• Preparing high-quality hot and cold meals that meet residents’ dietary requirements, preferences and individual needs
• Creating and delivering varied, seasonal menus in collaboration with the Catering and Hospitality Manager
• Bringing new ideas and creativity to mealtimes
• Managing kitchen budgets, stock levels and supplier orders
• Completing regular audits and maintaining accurate kitchen records
• Carrying out daily kitchen checks, including temperature monitoring and equipment checks
• Making sure the kitchen, food preparation and storage areas are clean, safe and hygienic
• Ensuring the kitchen operates in line with Food Safety, Health & Safety and regulatory requirements
• Following and maintaining fire safety and infection prevention and control procedures
• Reporting accidents and incidents in line with company procedures
• Working closely with the wider care team to understand residents’ needs and preferences
• Carrying out any reasonable duties requested by the Catering and Hospitality Manager or Home Manager

About You

We’re looking for a chef who is confident taking the lead and passionate about food and people.

You’ll ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Head Chef, Sous Chef or senior chef in a care home setting
• Experience leading and developing a kitchen team
• Strong knowledge of food safety, hygiene and allergen requirements
• Experience with menu planning, stock control and ordering
• The ability to cater for different dietary requirements and preferences
• Excellent organisation and time-management skills
• A hands-on approach and willingness to get stuck in
• A positive, can-do attitude
• Great communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships with residents, colleagues and suppliers
• A genuine interest in creating enjoyable and meaningful mealtimes for older people

Experience within a care home or similar environment would be an advantage, but we’re also interested in chefs from other settings who can bring their skills, creativity and passion to our home.

Why Work at Westgate?

At Westgate Healthcare, we want our people to feel valued, supported and part of something that matters.

As part of our team, you’ll have access to:

• Stream – access your wages before payday and enjoy exclusive retail discounts
• Blue Light Card – access to a wide range of national discounts
• Byond Prepayment Card, Extras Discounts and Cycle to Work Scheme
• Refer a Friend Scheme – earn up to £500 for a successful referral
• Employee recognition programmes, including Employee of the Month and Long Service awards
• Team-building activities and social events
• Support to achieve additional and nationally recognised qualifications
• Financial and wellbeing support through The Care Workers Charity
• Comprehensive induction, ongoing training and professional development

Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to use your experience and creativity to make a real difference to the people who live in our homes.

Great food can make someone's day. As Head Chef, you’ll help make that happen every day.

Ready to Lead the Kitchen?

If you’re an experienced chef looking for your next challenge and want to combine great food with a role that has real purpose, we’d love to hear from you.

Bring your passion, your ideas and your leadership skills to Westgate Healthcare.

#CareWithUsAtWestgate

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received, so early application is encouraged.

Due to the high volume of applications, if you do not hear from us within 5 working days, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

Westgate Healthcare is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.

WGHROB

Required Criteria

• The right to live and work in the UK
• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Chef in a similar setting (e.g. care home, school or healthcare environment)
• Food Safety & Hygiene Certificate Level 2 (or above)
• A good understanding of the nutritional needs of older people
• Knowledge of Health & Safety and relevant regulatory requirements
• A positive, flexible and professional approach to work
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team

Skills Needed

Managing Teams, Food Production, HACCP/Food Safety Management Skills, Food Costs

About The Company

At Westgate Healthcare, we have been providing high-quality care since the early 1990s, growing from a single home into a well-respected group across Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire and London.

We offer a wide range of services including residential care, nursing care, dementia care, respite care and palliative support, tailored to meet the needs of each individual.

Our homes are designed to provide comfort, safety and a strong sense of community, while our teams work closely with families and healthcare partners to deliver person-centred care plans.

As a family-owned organisation, we take pride in maintaining a personal, values-driven approach where residents and staff are treated with respect and understanding

Company Culture

Our culture is built on care, respect and teamwork.

We believe that the quality of our care starts with the people who deliver it, which is why we focus on creating a supportive and inclusive workplace.

At Westgate Healthcare, every colleague plays a vital role — from care staff to chefs, maintenance teams and management — working together to enhance residents’ quality of life.

We encourage continuous learning, open communication and shared responsibility, ensuring that our teams feel confident, valued and empowered.

Being a family-run organisation, we maintain a close-knit feel where people are recognised for their contribution and supported to succeed.

Company Benefits

We are committed to supporting our team with a strong and rewarding benefits package.

At Westgate Healthcare, you’ll receive competitive pay, flexible working options and access to ongoing training and professional development.

We provide opportunities to progress your career across our homes, supported by experienced leadership and structured training programmes.

Our teams benefit from working in modern, well-equipped care environments, with a strong emphasis on safety, wellbeing and collaboration.

Most importantly, we offer the chance to do meaningful work, where you can make a real difference in people’s lives every day — supported by a team that values and respects you.

Salary

£40,000.00 per year