Chef
Take the lead within our well-equipped care home kitchens. Use your creativity to develop and deliver exciting dishes for our residents. Produce food using locally sourced fresh produce where possible to provide that home from home taste to our meals.
Create Nutritious, Delicious and Beautifully Presented Dishes
We take pride in our commitment to providing exceptional dining experiences that prioritise nutrition and taste. Our Chefs are at the forefront of this mission, embodying our ‘handpicked’ philosophy through three key principles.
Firstly, our homemade recipes are developed around residents’ preferences, ensuring that every meal is tailored to their tastes and dietary needs. Secondly, we only work with handpicked suppliers who share our values of quality and taste, ensuring that every ingredient is carefully chosen for its nutritional value and flavour. Finally, our staff are chosen not just for their dedication to care, but also for their passion for food.
Our Chefs are chosen for their skill and creativity in crafting wholesome, nutritious, and well-balanced meals. They lead the kitchen and waiting staff, manage the Home’s catering budget, and collaborate with residents to create menus that meet their dietary needs while also delighting their taste buds.
“I’ve been with Colten Care for over 20 years and the company have always supported me with training courses and promotions, helping me become the Chef I am today. Working in a care home is so very different, there is so much involved in caring for and supporting our residents, and I think that’s what makes my job so special.” – Lorna – Chef at Bourne View
A Passion for Food
A role as a care home chef requires an infectious enthusiasm for food and a genuine passion for creating an exceptional dining experience for residents. As a natural communicator and a team player, you should bring a can-do attitude and a sense of fun to the table.
This unique and fulfilling position involves taking pride in understanding our residents’ needs and leading them through an exciting food journey, while building special relationships along the way.
Working as a Chef in one of our homes, you must have a City & Guilds 706 1/2 or NVQ Level 3 in Catering / Cookery, and relevant experience in a similar capacity.
Winner of the Care Chef’ award at the 24th National Care Awards!
We’re proud to have an award winner amongst our chef team, with Lorna Parsons, Chef at our Bourne View care home in Poole, winning the ‘Care Chef’ award at the 24th National Care Awards!
Lorna makes an amazing contribution to the wellbeing of all the residents she cooks for on a daily basis, making sure meals are nutritious and well-balanced, but also varied and exciting. She is an inspirational leader of the kitchen and waiting team and her high standards and attention to detail ensure a first-class dining experience.
Lorna has worked for Colten Care for 24 years, starting her career with a part-time job washing dishes and working her way up from there. She went on to become our first catering apprentice at The Bournemouth & Poole College and over the years has continued to develop her culinary skills.
Make A Difference
All of our care home staff contribute to the overall wellbeing of residents in some manner, with our Chefs having an equally important role to play ensuring that residents have positive food experiences.
Our residents have a range of dietary needs that we attend to. Those who are well and have a good appetite can enjoy a balanced healthy diet. However, there will be residents who are more likely to have support needs and/or health conditions that impact on their food and drink intake. Our Chefs are supported and trained to deal with modified diets such as Dysphagia.
This makes it more important to ensure that the food and drink that is provided is not only enjoyable, nutritious and accessible, but carefully considered and presented to, in order to maintain their health and wellbeing and provide a positive dining experience.
Providing food that is appetising, in an environment that is positive and caring whilst meeting the individual needs of residents, is a key aspect in the delivery of high quality care in our homes, and it’s our Chefs that help us to achieve these high standards.
BE PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL
Find the role that’s perfect for you. Join us and make a difference to our residents’ lives every day. If a career in elderly care is for you then you want to be part of the team at Colten Care.