Barchester Healthcare

Peripatetic Chef

The closing date is 28 April 2026

Job summary

Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of high-quality healthcare services in the UK, operating 224 care homes and hospitals across the country. They are seeking a Peripatetic Chef to join their team and support their care homes in the Southampton region. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified chef to work in a flexible, supportive environment while making a meaningful difference in the lives of residents.

Main duties of the job

As a Peripatetic Chef, you will be responsible for preparing and delivering high-quality, fresh meals for residents in multiple care homes. You will work closely with the care teams to ensure the nutritional and dietary needs of residents are met, and create a warm and welcoming environment within the homes. The role offers a great work-life balance, with flexible working days and alternate weekends, as well as a competitive salary, travel costs, and a range of employee benefits.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of healthcare services in the UK, operating 224 care homes and hospitals across the country. They are committed to providing the highest quality of care and supporting their employees to reach their full potential. Barchester has been recognized as one of the best companies to work for in the UK, with a two-star outstanding rating from Best Companies and a range of employee benefits and development opportunities.

Details

Date posted

28 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£19 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1467373475

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Southampton

SO30 2DF


Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you a qualified Chef looking for more of a work life balance whilst looking for an opportunity to make what you do matter? We are currently looking for a Peripatetic Chef to join the Barchester family to help support our care homes in and around our the region. Great opportunity to help support several teams and homes in delivering high quality fresh food.Here at the Barchester family, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. It is an exciting time to join the Barchester family . We have an ambitious new builds programme, aiming to open 10 brand new purpose-built homes per year. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK. Barchester are also very proud to be the only healthcare provider in the UK to be accredited as one of the best companies to work for.

ABOUT YOU A personable approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food NVQs/SVQs or City & Guilds equivalent Up to date food hygiene Ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents Strong kitchen management skills

REWARDS PACKAGE

Work life balance - working days with alternate weekends Competitive rate of pay + travel costs A range of holiday, retail and leisure discounts Opportunity to showcase your talent at the annual Barchester Hospitality Awards Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend bonus scheme

If you are a passionate chef who is keen to be part of a company that centres on celebrating life and making a difference, Barchester is the place to be. Please follow the link to apply and for further information please contact Tara Connor on tara.connor@barchester.com

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Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you a qualified Chef looking for more of a work life balance whilst looking for an opportunity to make what you do matter? We are currently looking for a Peripatetic Chef to join the Barchester family to help support our care homes in and around our the region. Great opportunity to help support several teams and homes in delivering high quality fresh food.Here at the Barchester family, we work with an open, honest, supportive approach, where quality of care is at the heart of everything we do. As sector leading healthcare experts, we are proud to have the highest quality ratings across our 224 homes and hospitals across the UK. It is an exciting time to join the Barchester family . We have an ambitious new builds programme, aiming to open 10 brand new purpose-built homes per year. Barchester have proudly been awarded a two-star outstanding rating by Best Companies, ranked 11th in the top 20 Best Health & Social Care Companies to work for and 14th in the Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK. Barchester are also very proud to be the only healthcare provider in the UK to be accredited as one of the best companies to work for.

ABOUT YOU A personable approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food NVQs/SVQs or City & Guilds equivalent Up to date food hygiene Ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents Strong kitchen management skills

REWARDS PACKAGE

Work life balance - working days with alternate weekends Competitive rate of pay + travel costs A range of holiday, retail and leisure discounts Opportunity to showcase your talent at the annual Barchester Hospitality Awards Unlimited access to our Refer a Friend bonus scheme

If you are a passionate chef who is keen to be part of a company that centres on celebrating life and making a difference, Barchester is the place to be. Please follow the link to apply and for further information please contact Tara Connor on tara.connor@barchester.com

0854

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You should hold relevant NVQs/SVQs or City & Guilds equivalent qualifications, as well as up-to-date food hygiene certification. A good understanding of nutrition and experience working with fresh, seasonal ingredients are also essential.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You should hold relevant NVQs/SVQs or City & Guilds equivalent qualifications, as well as up-to-date food hygiene certification. A good understanding of nutrition and experience working with fresh, seasonal ingredients are also essential.

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

Southampton

SO30 2DF


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Southampton

SO30 2DF


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

28 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£19 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1467373475

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Southampton

SO30 2DF


Privacy notice

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