Barchester Healthcare

Regional Bank Chef

The closing date is 23 March 2026

Job summary

This is a temporary Regional Bank Chef role supporting Barchester Healthcare's care homes in Lancaster and Preston. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work flexible hours, deliver hotel/restaurant standards, and have full autonomy in creating nutritious and well-balanced menus for the residents. Barchester is a leading healthcare provider in the UK, offering long-term career growth and opportunities for ambitious chefs.

Main duties of the job

The Regional Bank Chef will be responsible for supporting Barchester's care homes in Lancaster and Preston, including Laurel Bank, Dovedale Court, Sherwood Court, and Sherwood Lodge. The role offers a work-life balance with day shifts and flexible hours, as well as the chance to showcase your talent and develop your skills through Barchester's Chef Academy. You will be expected to create high-quality, person-centered meals while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK's leading healthcare providers, with over 260 care homes and hospitals across the country. The company is consistently reinvesting and growing, with several new build homes expected to open and join the Barchester family. Barchester is committed to delivering person-centered hospitality and providing a supportive, collaborative environment for its employees.

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£16.85 an hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

1456004133

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Lancaster

LA1 5EF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be!

We have a Regional Bank Chef opportunity to support our care homes Lancaster and Preston.

Homes you will be covering: Laurel Bank LA1 5EF, Dovedale Court PR2 3WQ, Sherwood Court PR2 9GA and Sherwood Lodge PR2 9GA

Working days only with the chance to work flexible hours as well as multiple locations. You will also have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development.

We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality and high standards.

Barchester is one of the UKs leading healthcare providers, with over 260 homes and hospitals across the country. We are consistently reinvesting and growing, with several more new build homes due open and join the Barchester family. Barchester can offer long term career growth and opportunities for ambitious chefs who pride themselves on working at the highest of standards.

Your Benefits and Rewards

  • Work life balance - working days only

  • Flexible hours and shifts

  • Bank enhancements of 12.07% (already included in advertised pay rate)

  • Free learning and development

  • Opportunity to showcase your talent at the annual Barchester Hospitality Awards

  • Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax

  • Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide

  • Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral

  • Great opportunity to internally apply for permanent positions across all Barchester homes

Your Experience and Qualifications

  • A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents

  • Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

  • Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition

  • The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes

  • Confidence engaging with residents

  • Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard

  • Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH

  • Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)

We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs.

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be

Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you a passionate and qualified Chef looking for a better work life balance? If you are keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and high standards, Barchester is the place to be!

We have a Regional Bank Chef opportunity to support our care homes Lancaster and Preston.

Homes you will be covering: Laurel Bank LA1 5EF, Dovedale Court PR2 3WQ, Sherwood Court PR2 9GA and Sherwood Lodge PR2 9GA

Working days only with the chance to work flexible hours as well as multiple locations. You will also have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long hours. Our chefs have full autonomy in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus, whilst also taking ownership of their kitchen and ongoing team development.

We are proud to deliver person centred hospitality across all our services and look for warm, motivated and passionate chefs who are driven by quality and high standards.

Barchester is one of the UKs leading healthcare providers, with over 260 homes and hospitals across the country. We are consistently reinvesting and growing, with several more new build homes due open and join the Barchester family. Barchester can offer long term career growth and opportunities for ambitious chefs who pride themselves on working at the highest of standards.

Your Benefits and Rewards

  • Work life balance - working days only

  • Flexible hours and shifts

  • Bank enhancements of 12.07% (already included in advertised pay rate)

  • Free learning and development

  • Opportunity to showcase your talent at the annual Barchester Hospitality Awards

  • Tax Code Review Service to check you're on the right code and paying the right level of tax

  • Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside your colleagues nationwide

  • Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend' scheme, earning up to £500* per referral

  • Great opportunity to internally apply for permanent positions across all Barchester homes

Your Experience and Qualifications

  • A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents

  • Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent

  • Experience of working with fresh seasonal food with a good understanding of nutrition

  • The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our homes

  • Confidence engaging with residents

  • Experience working with a front of house team to ensure the restaurants are set up to a high standard

  • Good understanding of HACCP and COSHH

  • Knowledge around modified diets using the IDDSI framework (If new to care, we will train and develop chefs on these techniques)

We are exceptionally proud of our Barchester Chef Academy, where chefs have the opportunity to learn new techniques and further develop their skills, whilst also sharing their knowledge to support the growth of others across the business. This fantastic academy experience is held throughout the year and is offered to all of our chefs.

If you are a passionate Chef who is keen to be part of a company that is driven by quality and who love to celebrate life, Barchester is the place to be

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • The successful candidate should hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have experience working with fresh seasonal food and a good understanding of nutrition, and be confident engaging with residents. Knowledge of HACCP, COSHH, and the IDDSI framework for modified diets is also required.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • The successful candidate should hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, have experience working with fresh seasonal food and a good understanding of nutrition, and be confident engaging with residents. Knowledge of HACCP, COSHH, and the IDDSI framework for modified diets is also required.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Lancaster

LA1 5EF


Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Lancaster

LA1 5EF


Employer's website

https://www.barchester.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Team

Barchester Healthcare

Recruitment@barchester.com

Details

Date posted

23 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£16.85 an hour

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

1456004133

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Lancaster

LA1 5EF


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