Head Chef

Catering and Hospitality - Vane Hill Care Home

Contract: Full Time

Salary: £13.85 Per Hour

Shift Type: Days

Contracted hours: 45

Vane Hill, a pair of grand Victorian houses overlooking the harbour in Torquay, offers breathtaking views across Torbay. This tranquil hilltop home provides specialist support for individuals with mental health conditions, including Korsakoff’s syndrome and Alcohol-Related Brain Damage, fostering independence for up to 32 residents.

We are looking for a Head Chef with a passion for creating exceptional meals and leading a kitchen with precision and care. You will ensure our residents enjoy nutritious, high-quality meals every day while managing and inspiring your kitchen team.

What We Offer

• £13.85 per hour
• Contracted to 45 hours per week (08:30 – 17:30 with 30-minute break, alternate weekends)
• Pension
• Free onsite parking
• Uniform provided
• 5.6 weeks annual leave (based on a full-time contract)

What You Will Do
As Head Chef, you will take full responsibility for preparing, cooking, and serving both hot and cold meals that meet the dietary needs and preferences of our residents. You will work closely with the Group Executive Chef and Home Manager to plan and cost menus, ensuring meals are nutritious, well balanced, and make optimal use of fresh, seasonal ingredients.

You will lead and supervise kitchen staff, providing guidance on food preparation, hygiene, and the safe use of equipment, while also training care staff involved in food handling. Maintaining high standards of cleanliness, health and safety, and food hygiene will be central to your role, alongside overseeing stock rotation, monitoring supplies, and managing kitchen resources efficiently. You will also assist with staff scheduling, participate in recruitment, and support the development of a motivated and cohesive kitchen team.

What We’re Looking For
You should hold relevant culinary qualifications (City & Guilds 706 Parts 1 & 2 or equivalent, achieved or working towards) and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate. Leadership experience in a kitchen environment, strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while inspiring a team are essential. Experience in preparing food for specialised dietary needs and a care environment is advantageous but not required.

About Us
Vane Hill is part of Care Concern Group, a family-owned, market-leading care provider with over 130 homes across the UK. We are committed to delivering outstanding care and creating supportive workplaces where our teams can grow and flourish.

Our five core values – Trust, Respect, Passion, Kindness, Inclusivity – guide everything we do. If you share these values and want to make a meaningful difference every day, we would love to hear from you.