Head Chef

Head Chef

Ferbane Care Centre, Ferbane, Co. Offaly

Windmill Healthcare is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to lead the catering team at Ferbane Care Centre , a modern residential care centre providing person-centred care to older persons.

This is an excellent opportunity for a professional chef who is committed to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals and understands the important role food plays in residents' health, wellbeing, dignity, and quality of life.

The successful candidate will take overall responsibility for the catering service, ensuring residents receive appetising, nutritious meals that meet their individual dietary, cultural, and clinical requirements while leading and developing a dedicated kitchen team.

The Head Chef reports directly to the Director of Nursing / Person in Charge .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the kitchen and catering service.
• Plan and deliver varied, nutritious, and appealing menus tailored to the needs of older persons.
• Ensure all meals meet residents' dietary requirements, including modified texture diets, therapeutic diets, allergies, and special nutritional needs.
• Work collaboratively with nursing staff, healthcare professionals, residents, and families to support residents' nutritional wellbeing.
• Promote a positive dining experience that enhances residents' quality of life and dignity.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, portion control, and nutritional value.
• Ensure full compliance with HACCP requirements, food safety regulations, infection prevention and control standards, and Health & Safety legislation.
• Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the kitchen environment.
• Manage food purchasing, stock control, supplier relationships, and budgetary targets.
• Lead, supervise, train, and support kitchen staff to achieve high standards of performance.
• Participate in audits, inspections, and quality improvement initiatives as required.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant company policies and regulatory standards applicable to residential care settings.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Chef with relevant professional culinary qualifications.
• Minimum 3 years' experience in a senior chef or Head Chef position.
• Strong knowledge of HACCP and food safety management systems.
• Experience managing and developing kitchen teams.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and communication skills.
• Strong understanding of food costing, menu planning, and budget management.

Desirable

• Previous experience in a nursing home, healthcare, hospital, residential care, or similar setting.
• Experience catering for specialist diets, texture-modified diets, and nutritional requirements of older persons.
• Training in nutrition or healthcare catering.

Skills & Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A genuine commitment to enhancing residents' wellbeing through quality food and dining experiences.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and quality standards.
• The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary care team.
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Flexibility, innovation, and a positive approach to service improvement.
• The ability to mentor, motivate, and inspire a team.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary.
• Free Garda Vetting.
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing professional development.
• Supportive working environment within a leading healthcare organisation.
• Opportunities for career progression.
• Free on-site parking.

Benefits

• Company Pension Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Subsidised Meals.
• Ongoing Training & Development.

Join Our Team

If you are an experienced chef who takes pride in delivering exceptional food and would like to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older persons, we would love to hear from you.

• Apply today to join the team at Ferbane Care Centre and help create an outstanding dining experience for our residents.