Kitchen Chef

🔒 Confidential Employer
Posted 2 January 2026
LOCATION
Hampshire
TYPE
Full-time
LEVEL
Associate
CATEGORY
Hospitality
This employer holds a UK Home Office sponsor license — sponsorship for this specific role is at the employer’s discretion

SKILLS

Food Hygiene & Safety IDDSI training Kitchen Management Dietary Requirements Menu Planning Teamwork Cooking Health & Safety

FULL DESCRIPTION

Kitchen Chef

We are looking for a skilled and motivated Kitchen Chef to join our catering team, preparing high-quality, nutritious meals for residents in care homes. You will play a vital role in ensuring residents’ dietary and nutritional needs are met, while maintaining excellent food hygiene and safety standards.

This role is ideal for an experienced chef with a passion for cooking and the ability to adapt meals for specialist diets within a healthcare environment.

About the Role

  • Meal Preparation & Cooking
  • Prepare and cook a variety of meals tailored to residents’ dietary needs, including special diets (e.g. IDDSI texture-modified diets, diabetic, allergy-specific).
  • Ensure meals are balanced, well-presented, and meet portion requirements.
  • Kitchen Management
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and organised kitchen at all times.
  • Adhere to food hygiene, infection control, and health & safety standards.
  • Manage stock levels, monitor supplies, and support with ordering.
  • Team Collaboration
  • Work alongside care and management teams to ensure all nutritional requirements are met.
  • Support, mentor, or oversee kitchen assistants and catering staff when required.
  • Compliance & Documentation
  • Complete all required kitchen records (temperature logs, cleaning schedules, compliance forms).
  • Follow company policies, environmental health regulations, and care sector standards.

Qualifications & Experience Required:

  • Level 2 Food Hygiene & Safety (including IDDSI training)
  • Basic Health & Safety training
  • Professional cooking experience in a care home, healthcare, education, or hospitality setting

Preferred (Training Provided if Needed):

  • Level 3 Food Hygiene / HACCP certification
  • Allergen Awareness training
  • Experience with care sector dietary requirements

Personal Qualities

  • Passion for creating fresh, nutritious meals
  • Reliable, well-organised, and able to work independently
  • Adaptable to different dietary requirements and menu changes
  • Strong teamwork and communication skills

Salary & Benefits

  • Flexible shift patterns across multiple care homes in Hampshire
  • Support with further professional development
  • Potential progression into a permanent role with our client, depending on performance and demonstrated potential
Sign up free — access 45,000+ UK sponsor-licensed jobs