Head Cook (day shift, no split shifts or evening work)
| Posting date: | 04 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £14.60 per hour |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 06 March 2026 |
| Location: | NG2 5AS |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Church Farm Care |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Company Overview
Church Farm Care are a group of five nursing homes based in Nottinghamshire delivering specialist, compassionate care that feels like home, focused, expert-led, family centred and continuously evolving.
We aim to bring out the best in staff and people living with dementia and recruit people who are genuinely caring and positive.
We strive to deliver an outstanding service, together we create a place that feels like home – supportive, inclusive and committed to compassionate, person-centred care.
Join us and make a difference at Church Farm Care.
Summary
We are seeking a Head Cook to join our catering team at Church Farm at Skylarks, based in West Bridgford in Nottingham.
The role will be working 4 shifts per week 7am - 5.30pm with a 60-minute unpaid break per shift. This role will require working alternate weekends. Contracted weekly hours will be 38 hours per week.
*No split shifts* *No late night evening work*
MAIN DUTIES OF THE ROLE:
To manage every aspect of catering within the Home, delivering a quality service in line with health, safety and hygiene requirements.
To lead the catering team and manage individuals performance.
Maintain compliance with food hygiene, food preparation, IDDSI and health & safety standards.
Manage kitchen stock, equipment and resources within budget.
DETAILS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Food Preparation
Provide meals of a high standard.
Prepare beverages and snacks throughout the day, and ensure there are sufficient snacks available for the evening and night.
Write and follow the Home’s menus ensuring varied and healthy food is available and that special dietary needs are met.
Be fully conversant with how to prepare specialised soft meals and follow the guidance of the dietician where applicable.
Always ensure there is a choice of soft meals available for our residents who require this style of meal.
Check food stocks and place orders with the designated suppliers.
Manage Staff
Train all other kitchen staff in their roles, making use of the training programme and your personal knowledge.
Complete kitchen staff rotas and ensure the kitchen is appropriately staffed at all times.
Carry out staff supervisions and appraisals as required.
Authorise and manage holiday requests.
Carry out return to work interviews where staff have been absent.
Policies and record keeping
Complete daily and weekly kitchen records and pass for approval to Home Manager.
Carry out 6 monthly “simple” audits with a sample of residents across the 4 houses to check on quality of meals and if residents are generally satisfied with the menus offered.
Work with the manager to rectify any anomalies identified.
Ensure that all documentation is kept up to date according to current legislation.
Be aware of HACCP and all food hygiene regulations and keep abreast of legislative changes as they occur.
Provide BASIC Food Hygiene guidance to other staff within the home.
Adhere to all Church Farm Nursing Home Ltd Policies and Procedures.
Education and Training
Intermediate or level 3 food hygiene certificate.
Health & safety procedures including control of substances harmful to health (COSHH) and food safety standards.
Basic knowledge of dietary requirements for older people and the impact of food types on medication.
Benefits
Real Living Wage Employer - Excellent rates of pay - Starting hourly rate of £14.60 per hour.
Enhanced pay for bank holidays.
Paid DBS.
During a shift of 8 hours or more a nutritious meal will be available.
Comprehensive Induction programme with ‘Buddy’ support for all new staff.
Funded training with access to Flexebee e-learning platform.
Specialist training available to all staff
Funded diploma courses (health and social care levels 2 & 3).
Well-being champion based in the home (listening service).
Free onsite Parking.
PPE provided when required.
Casual dress code.
Rewarding Career and options for career progression
Discounted bus pass scheme (Trent Barton bus)
Cycle to work scheme
Access to apply for a Blue Light card which offers savings on various high street and grocery stores.
Company pension scheme.
Overtime availability across the group of nursing homes.
To apply
If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others while enjoying a supportive work environment, we invite you to apply today and become part of our caring community!
Additional information
Please note any offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, employment reference checks and right to work in the UK check. You must be aged 18 or over.
*This role does not meet the requirements for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position*
# social care recruitment
Church Farm Care are a group of five nursing homes based in Nottinghamshire delivering specialist, compassionate care that feels like home, focused, expert-led, family centred and continuously evolving.
We aim to bring out the best in staff and people living with dementia and recruit people who are genuinely caring and positive.
We strive to deliver an outstanding service, together we create a place that feels like home – supportive, inclusive and committed to compassionate, person-centred care.
Join us and make a difference at Church Farm Care.
Summary
We are seeking a Head Cook to join our catering team at Church Farm at Skylarks, based in West Bridgford in Nottingham.
The role will be working 4 shifts per week 7am - 5.30pm with a 60-minute unpaid break per shift. This role will require working alternate weekends. Contracted weekly hours will be 38 hours per week.
*No split shifts* *No late night evening work*
MAIN DUTIES OF THE ROLE:
To manage every aspect of catering within the Home, delivering a quality service in line with health, safety and hygiene requirements.
To lead the catering team and manage individuals performance.
Maintain compliance with food hygiene, food preparation, IDDSI and health & safety standards.
Manage kitchen stock, equipment and resources within budget.
DETAILS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
Food Preparation
Provide meals of a high standard.
Prepare beverages and snacks throughout the day, and ensure there are sufficient snacks available for the evening and night.
Write and follow the Home’s menus ensuring varied and healthy food is available and that special dietary needs are met.
Be fully conversant with how to prepare specialised soft meals and follow the guidance of the dietician where applicable.
Always ensure there is a choice of soft meals available for our residents who require this style of meal.
Check food stocks and place orders with the designated suppliers.
Manage Staff
Train all other kitchen staff in their roles, making use of the training programme and your personal knowledge.
Complete kitchen staff rotas and ensure the kitchen is appropriately staffed at all times.
Carry out staff supervisions and appraisals as required.
Authorise and manage holiday requests.
Carry out return to work interviews where staff have been absent.
Policies and record keeping
Complete daily and weekly kitchen records and pass for approval to Home Manager.
Carry out 6 monthly “simple” audits with a sample of residents across the 4 houses to check on quality of meals and if residents are generally satisfied with the menus offered.
Work with the manager to rectify any anomalies identified.
Ensure that all documentation is kept up to date according to current legislation.
Be aware of HACCP and all food hygiene regulations and keep abreast of legislative changes as they occur.
Provide BASIC Food Hygiene guidance to other staff within the home.
Adhere to all Church Farm Nursing Home Ltd Policies and Procedures.
Education and Training
Intermediate or level 3 food hygiene certificate.
Health & safety procedures including control of substances harmful to health (COSHH) and food safety standards.
Basic knowledge of dietary requirements for older people and the impact of food types on medication.
Benefits
Real Living Wage Employer - Excellent rates of pay - Starting hourly rate of £14.60 per hour.
Enhanced pay for bank holidays.
Paid DBS.
During a shift of 8 hours or more a nutritious meal will be available.
Comprehensive Induction programme with ‘Buddy’ support for all new staff.
Funded training with access to Flexebee e-learning platform.
Specialist training available to all staff
Funded diploma courses (health and social care levels 2 & 3).
Well-being champion based in the home (listening service).
Free onsite Parking.
PPE provided when required.
Casual dress code.
Rewarding Career and options for career progression
Discounted bus pass scheme (Trent Barton bus)
Cycle to work scheme
Access to apply for a Blue Light card which offers savings on various high street and grocery stores.
Company pension scheme.
Overtime availability across the group of nursing homes.
To apply
If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others while enjoying a supportive work environment, we invite you to apply today and become part of our caring community!
Additional information
Please note any offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, employment reference checks and right to work in the UK check. You must be aged 18 or over.
*This role does not meet the requirements for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position*
# social care recruitment
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About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.