Job Advertisement: Permanent Head Chef

Brought to you by Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

Location: Stoneham Grove Care Home, Stoneham Farm, Reading, RG31 5UG

Pay Rate: £43,000.00 per annum

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Hours: 40.00 hours per week

Shifts: Days (Working days and alternate weekends, across 4 or 5 days a week)

Closing Date: 19 August 2026

About the Role

As a Permanent Head Chef at Stoneham Grove Care Home, you will enjoy a fantastic work-life balance delivering hotel and restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours of traditional hospitality. Enjoying full kitchen autonomy, your key responsibilities will include:

Leading, motivating, inspiring, and upskilling your kitchen and front-of-house team.
Driving menu development, working with fresh seasonal produce to cook wholesome, high-standard dishes, and baking fresh cakes, scones, and breads from scratch.
Tailoring menus around residents to deliver person-centred hospitality, including engaging with residents to create appetising, nutritious meals.
Managing the kitchen budget, conducting regular audits, overseeing stock control, and handling ongoing recruitment and retention.
Accessing our exclusive Barchester Chef Academy and industry-recognised apprenticeships to further develop your career.

About You

We are looking for a passionate, qualified chef driven by high standards and resident wellbeing. To join us, you will need:

A City & Guilds / NVQ / SVQ or equivalent catering qualification.
A personable, warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents.
Proven experience in leading, motivating, and inspiring a team.
Strong experience working with fresh seasonal food, along with a solid understanding of nutrition, HACCP, and COSHH.
Confidence in engaging with residents and working alongside a front-of-house team.
(Note: Knowledge of modified diets using the IDDSI framework is ideal, but full training will be provided if you are new to care!)

Rewards & Package

Competitive salary of £43,000.00 per annum.
Rewarding Excellence bonus: Financially rewarded by up to £500* for Good or Outstanding CQC inspections.
Unlimited access to our generous Refer a Friend scheme (earning up to £500* per referral).
Access to a wide range of retail and leisure discounts at big brands, supermarkets, and travel companies.
Free access to medical specialists for second opinions and confidential, free counselling and legal services.
Tax code review service and the option to join our monthly staff lottery. *( Terms & conditions apply )