Head Chef
Expiring soon
We’re looking for an exceptional Head Chef to help launch our brand-new restaurant Yarrow at The Willowbury Retirement Village in West Malling. This is a rare opportunity to shape the food offering from day one and play a key role in creating a dining experience residents will genuinely look forward to every day.
As Head Chef, you’ll oversee all aspects of the kitchen operation - from seasonal menu creation and hospitality events to team leadership, food safety, and commercial performance - delivering restaurant-quality dining within a state-of-the-art retirement community.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Leadership & Menu Development
Create fresh, seasonal, and nutritious menus tailored to residents’ tastes and dietary needs
Champion locally sourced ingredients and high-quality produce wherever possible
Lead catering for special events, private dining, and village hospitality functions
Maintain accurate recipe, allergen, and menu data within procurement and EPoS systems
Kitchen Operations & Commercial Management
Lead and inspire the kitchen team, managing rotas, performance, and day-to-day operations
Manage stock control, ordering, and monthly stocktakes effectively
Deliver strong food margins while maintaining exceptional quality standards
Drive operational efficiency and cost-effective procurement practices
Food Safety & Compliance
Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and kitchen compliance
Conduct daily kitchen and dining area checks to ensure consistency and cleanliness
Ensure equipment maintenance, audits, and compliance records are fully up to date
Team Development & Culture
Build a positive, collaborative, and high-performing kitchen culture
Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of kitchen staff
Create Personal Development Plans (PDPs) and training opportunities for the team
Resident Experience
Engage regularly with residents to gather feedback and continuously enhance the dining experience
Help create a warm, welcoming restaurant atmosphere that reflects the community spirit of the village
About You
Essential
Level 3 Professional Cookery qualification (or equivalent)
Previous experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef within a quality-led environment
Passion for delivering high-quality, fresh food
Proven experience managing teams, budgets, and kitchen operations
Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
Understanding of the nutritional and dietary needs of older adults
Willingness to complete an enhanced DBS check
Desirable
Experience within hospitality, care, or retirement living environments
Experience with event catering and hospitality functions
Knowledge of kitchen management systems and Microsoft Office
Our Values
Age Well – Supporting people to live life to the fullest
Community – Creating meaningful connections every day
Keep Improving – Continuously learning and evolving
Planet Positive – Acting responsibly for our environment
One Team – Working together with trust and respect
What We Offer
Competitive salary and benefits package
Brand-new kitchen and restaurant facilities
Ongoing learning and development opportunities
The opportunity to shape and grow a flagship restaurant from launch
As Head Chef, you’ll oversee all aspects of the kitchen operation - from seasonal menu creation and hospitality events to team leadership, food safety, and commercial performance - delivering restaurant-quality dining within a state-of-the-art retirement community.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Leadership & Menu Development
Create fresh, seasonal, and nutritious menus tailored to residents’ tastes and dietary needs
Champion locally sourced ingredients and high-quality produce wherever possible
Lead catering for special events, private dining, and village hospitality functions
Maintain accurate recipe, allergen, and menu data within procurement and EPoS systems
Kitchen Operations & Commercial Management
Lead and inspire the kitchen team, managing rotas, performance, and day-to-day operations
Manage stock control, ordering, and monthly stocktakes effectively
Deliver strong food margins while maintaining exceptional quality standards
Drive operational efficiency and cost-effective procurement practices
Food Safety & Compliance
Maintain the highest standards of food hygiene, health & safety, and kitchen compliance
Conduct daily kitchen and dining area checks to ensure consistency and cleanliness
Ensure equipment maintenance, audits, and compliance records are fully up to date
Team Development & Culture
Build a positive, collaborative, and high-performing kitchen culture
Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of kitchen staff
Create Personal Development Plans (PDPs) and training opportunities for the team
Resident Experience
Engage regularly with residents to gather feedback and continuously enhance the dining experience
Help create a warm, welcoming restaurant atmosphere that reflects the community spirit of the village
About You
Essential
Level 3 Professional Cookery qualification (or equivalent)
Previous experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef within a quality-led environment
Passion for delivering high-quality, fresh food
Proven experience managing teams, budgets, and kitchen operations
Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
Understanding of the nutritional and dietary needs of older adults
Willingness to complete an enhanced DBS check
Desirable
Experience within hospitality, care, or retirement living environments
Experience with event catering and hospitality functions
Knowledge of kitchen management systems and Microsoft Office
Our Values
Age Well – Supporting people to live life to the fullest
Community – Creating meaningful connections every day
Keep Improving – Continuously learning and evolving
Planet Positive – Acting responsibly for our environment
One Team – Working together with trust and respect
What We Offer
Competitive salary and benefits package
Brand-new kitchen and restaurant facilities
Ongoing learning and development opportunities
The opportunity to shape and grow a flagship restaurant from launch
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