Head Chef – Daytime Hours Only

Location: Ripon, North Yorkshire
Environment: Retirement Living Restaurant
Hours: 24 hours per week | Monday to Thursday | 9:00am–3:00pm
Pay: £17.79 per hour - £22,201.92 Year
Overtime Rate: £19.94 per hour

Benefits

• Head Chef role with no evenings or late finishes

• Monday to Thursday working week

• Paid overtime

• Calm, well-organised kitchen environment

• Small service: typically 15–30 covers

• Solo kitchen with support from a General Assistant and Duty Manager

• Traditional British, gastro-style food

• Community-focused workplace

• Ideal Head Chef position for someone looking to slow down and regain work–life balance

About the Role

We are recruiting a Head Chef to take ownership of the kitchen in a high-quality early retirement village in Ripon, North Yorkshire. This is not a care home — residents are independent homeowners who enjoy freshly prepared food and a welcoming restaurant experience.

As Head Chef, you will be responsible for delivering traditional British cuisine with a gastro influence, cooked from fresh ingredients and presented to a professional standard. The restaurant serves as a social hub for residents, making food quality and consistency essential. They d serve special even dining such as Spanish events and Christmas menus

This is a solo Head Chef role, supported by a General Assistant and assistance from the Duty Manager when required. Service is intentionally small, allowing the Head Chef to focus on quality, menu planning, and customer satisfaction rather than high-volume service.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as Head Chef with full responsibility for the kitchen operation

• Plan and deliver varied, nutritionally balanced menus with the Duty Manager and General Manager

• Prepare and serve high-quality meals to a professional standard

• Manage food ordering, stock control, budgets, and waste reduction

• Cater for special dietary requirements and allergens

• Maintain strict compliance with Food Safety, HACCP, and Health & Safety regulations

• Supervise and support General Assistants when assisting with food preparation

• Ensure correct use, cleaning, and maintenance of kitchen equipment

• Complete daily food safety records and allergen documentation

• Provide additional catering for events and social functions when required

Training & Requirements

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Senior Chef

• Food Safety qualification (or willingness to complete)

• Strong understanding of food hygiene, allergens, and health & safety

• Ability to work independently and manage a small kitchen

Uniform & PPE

• Full chef uniform and PPE provided

Why Apply?

This Head Chef position is perfect for an experienced chef who wants:

• Reliable daytime hours

• A slower, more rewarding pace

• Autonomy without pressure

• A role where good food genuinely matters

About Chefs for Chefs

Chefs for Chefs are committed to promoting equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality or disability.
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