Barchester Healthcare

Second Chef - Care Home

The closing date is 18 May 2026

Job summary

This role as a Second Chef in a care home setting provides the opportunity to work with fresh, seasonal ingredients and deliver high-quality, nutritious meals for residents. The role offers a better work-life balance compared to a traditional restaurant or hotel environment, while still allowing you to showcase your culinary skills and passion for creating delicious, resident-focused menus.

Main duties of the job

As a Second Chef at Barchester Healthcare, you will assist the Head Chef in developing and delivering nutritious, flavoursome, and well-balanced menus for the care home residents. You will have the chance to work with fresh, seasonal produce and tailor the menus to the preferences and dietary needs of the residents. The role also involves managing the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence, maintaining stock control, and ensuring compliance with HACCP standards. Barchester Healthcare is a sector-leading healthcare provider with a focus on quality and resident-centered care, offering a supportive and rewarding work environment.

About us

Barchester Healthcare is a leading provider of care homes and hospitals across the UK, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality, person-centered care. The company has been recognized for its outstanding ratings and as a top employer in the health and social care sector.

Details

Date posted

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£14.20 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1476266724

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Carmarthen

SA31 3HP


Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. 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. Here at Barchester, 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. 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.

NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection 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 and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UK*Terms & conditions apply

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.

8765

Job description

Job responsibilities

Are you a qualified Chef looking to work with fresh seasonal food, with the opportunity to have more of a work life balance and make what you do matter? Working as a Second Chef at Barchester, you will have the chance to deliver hotel/restaurant standards without the split shifts and long weeks. You will assist the Head Chef in creating nutritious, flavoursome and well balanced menus whilst working with residents to tailor menus around them. 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. Here at Barchester, 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. 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.

NEED TO HAVE A personable and warm approach with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of residents Hold City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent A good understanding of nutrition Experience of working with fresh seasonal food The ability to create a warm and welcoming environment within our home Confidence engaging with residents to create appetising and nutritious menus Good understanding of HACCPNEED TO DO Manage the kitchen in the Head Chef's absence Assist Head Chef in menu development Work with fresh produce to deliver high quality and wholesome dishes cooked at the highest quality and standards Create a warm, efficient and fun environment Work within budget Complete regular audits Manage stock control REWARDS PACKAGE Rewarding Excellence bonus, meaning you will be financially rewarded by up to £500* for a Good or Outstanding CQC inspection 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 and supermarkets Free access to medical specialists, who are available for a second opinion if you need it to make a decision with confidence Confidential and free access to counselling and legal services Tax code review service, where we will check that you are on the right code and paying the right level of tax Option to join our monthly staff lottery alongside thousands of colleagues across the UK*Terms & conditions apply

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.

8765

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, along with experience working with fresh, seasonal food and a good understanding of nutrition. A personable and warm approach, as well as the ability to engage with residents and create a welcoming environment, are also essential for this role.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will need to hold a City & Guilds/NVQ/SVQ or equivalent qualification, along with experience working with fresh, seasonal food and a good understanding of nutrition. A personable and warm approach, as well as the ability to engage with residents and create a welcoming environment, are also essential for this role.

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

Carmarthen

SA31 3HP


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Barchester Healthcare

Address

Barchester Healthcare

Carmarthen

SA31 3HP


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

19 March 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£14.20 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

1476266724

Job locations

Barchester Healthcare

Carmarthen

SA31 3HP


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