# Head Chef

**Company:** [Retirement Villages Group](http://jobs.workable.com/companies/fPmKbXe7q45u1XFZzof3hT.md)
**Location:** West Malling, United Kingdom
**Workplace:** on site
**Employment type:** Full-time
**Department:** The Willowbury

[Apply for this job](http://jobs.workable.com/view/7402e821-ccf3-444e-9e26-6b32d5555115)

## Description

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