Head Chef

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