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Head Chef

Smyth Lodge
Sidcup, Kent

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Sidcup, Kent

Are you a chef with experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment with an emphasis on fresh and seasonal produce? Used to leading teams? Looking for a rewarding career with excellent training and opportunities for development? Then join Care UK, a multi award-winning care provider as a Head Chef.

The Role

  • Leading the team in the smooth running of the kitchen operation
  • Develop nutritious and diet sensitive meals for residents and their requirements
  • Menu design and planning
  • Managing stock control and adhering to food cost guidelines
  • Ensure compliance with both Food Safety and Health and Safety in the kitchen
  • Training, supervising, and developing a team to help them make the most of their potential

Some of our benefits by joining the Care UK family

  • Alternate weekend and social friendly working hours
  • Bank Holiday Pay Enhancements* (*where applicable)
  • Career development, training and access to our approved apprenticeship scheme
  • Hundreds of online and in-store discounts
  • Annual purchase holiday scheme
  • Wellbeing support
  • Wagestream- access your wages at any time

Career Development

We have our own Catering Academy to provide excellent training and induction programs for all new Catering Staff and we will give you all that’s needed to have a successful career as a Chef with us. Our high quality, innovative training and coaching will support the development of your skills throughout your career with us.

We are looking for people to make a difference to residents’ lives every day. When you join Care UK you’ll be joining a team who share the same values: caring, passionate and teamwork. You will have a strong desire to help people and put residents at the heart of everything you do.

We are committed to recruiting diverse, talented people, who share our passion for helping others.  We see the potential in everyone, let us help fulfil yours.

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At a glance

Location

2 Frognal Avenue
Sidcup
Kent
DA14 6LF

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Pay
Up to £19.47
Shifts
Days
Contract
Permanent
Reference
SYS-9463

Why work at Smyth Lodge

At Care UK's Smyth Lodge in Sidcup, Kent, providing the highest standard of care for residents is at the heart of what we do. As part of our friendly team, you'll have the opportunity to develop your career and the support to go far.

Our team works in a purpose-built care home with a family atmosphere near the town’s rich cultural heart. We provide nursing care and specialised dementia care with fantastic facilities for residents, including a coffee shop, cinema and hair and beauty salon.

We truly believe that every one of us makes a difference. If you're a passionate, caring individual who works well in a team, consider a rewarding career at Smyth Lodge.

Why work at Smyth Lodge
Why work at Smyth Lodge
Why work at Smyth Lodge

A catering role at Care UK

A catering career at Care UK

Join our team and you'll have the chance to get creative in the kitchen while cooking up nutritious, well-balanced meals that have a direct impact on residents’ health and wellbeing.  

Many catering colleagues join us from restaurants or hotels where they’re used to working long hours late into the night. In a care home, you’ll work more sociable hours, and you’ll also have the opportunity to build relationships by getting to know residents and their tastes and preferences. This is a role where you can really make a difference. 

Looking to progress in your career? Our Chef Academy is designed to support individuals in our hospitality teams to become the future kitchen chefs and leaders within Care UK.

Everyone needs to feel motivated and rewarded, so we offer a competitive package of pay and benefits. Read more here.

Here at Care UK, we want all our colleagues to have a long and successful career with us. Our vision is to provide an inclusive training culture that empowers all colleagues with sector-leading development opportunities. View our opportunities for apprenticeships, development programmes and career progression.

At Care UK, we're proud to promote our diverse workforce and are committed to nurturing an inclusive culture. Our teams’ wellbeing is our top priority, and we believe it’s important to foster a culture of promoting open and honest conversations. Read more here.

As a colleague at Care UK, we believe it’s important that you know what you can expect from your manager to ensure people are fairly treated and properly recognised from day one. Our People Promise sets out clearly what you can expect from your manager and Care UK.

A catering career at Care UK
A catering career at Care UK
A catering career at Care UK

Trusted to care

A closely-knit team of managers, carers, nurses and support colleagues – and each of us is dedicated to your loved one’s care, health and wellbeing.

I'm a qualified general nurse and Ive worked in nursing since the 1980s. I worked in emergency nursing for 20 years before moving into social care, first managing a small home and then managing larger homes. Before joining the Smyth Lodge team I was managing a 120-bed home.

I feel strongly that I and my team are here to help residents to live their best life. It's important to see them as a holistic person. They're a husband or wife, brother or sister, a mum or dad or a best friend. Theres a lot we can learn from them.

I love hearing residents and colleagues laughing together. Humour is so important. I enjoy engaging with my team, with the people we care for and with their loved ones. I enjoy combining my nursing skills with being a leader. I believe that being a nurse – and a home manager – is an honour.

Tracey Cheeseman Home Manager