Head Chef
| Posting date: | 08 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | Competitive |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 07 November 2025 |
| Location: | Hornchurch - RM11 2QY, RM11 2QY |
| Company: | Signature Senior Lifestyle |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 10095 |
Summary
At Signature Senior Lifestyle, we believe dining should be an experience to savour. From beautifully presented plates to exceptional service, our award-winning care homes offer restaurant-quality dining every day. We’re now looking for an inspiring Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and deliver culinary excellence to our residents and guests at our luxury new care and nursing home in Hornchurch.
As Head Chef, you’ll be at the heart of our hospitality experience, leading a talented team to create fresh, seasonal dishes that are as nutritious as they are delicious. You’ll manage all aspects of food production and kitchen operations—ensuring every meal meets our high standards for taste, presentation and safety.
You’ll have the autonomy to design menus that celebrate seasonal ingredients, meet individual dietary needs and reflect the preferences of our residents—many of whom are true food lovers. Working closely with the General Manager, Hospitality Manager and Care Services teams, you’ll make sure every dining experience supports both wellbeing and joy.
What You’ll Do
- Lead, train and inspire your team, including Sous, Chef de Partie and Commis Chefs.
- Develop and deliver creative, seasonal menus in line with residents’ tastes and nutritional needs.
- Maintain the highest standards of hygiene, food safety and kitchen cleanliness.
- Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety and Food Hygiene regulations.
- Manage stock levels, budgets and supplier relationships, ensuring cost-effective procurement and minimal waste.
- Collaborate with care and activities teams to support special events and themed dining experiences.
- Continuously drive quality, consistency and innovation within the kitchen.
- NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Professional Cookery or Catering.
- Proven experience in leading a kitchen team within a high-quality hospitality, restaurant or care environment.
- Strong understanding of food hygiene and health & safety legislation.
- Passion for fresh, seasonal, beautifully presented food.
- Excellent leadership, organisation and communication skills.
- A team player with creativity, energy and a genuine desire to make a difference to residents’ lives.