Are you looking for the next step in your career within the culinary world?
Are you an experienced Team Leader within the catering remit?
We have the role for you!
NHS Professionals are currently recruiting for a permanent Head Chef position for Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) provides a full range of general acute, outpatient and diagnostic services at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, the Herts and Essex Hospital in Bishop’s Stortford, and St Margaret’s Hospital in Epping.

JOB SUMMARY

The Head Chef is responsible for the day-to-day management of the kitchen operations at The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust. This includes:

• Leading food production and preparation for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Supervising and managing the kitchen team, including catering assistants and chefs.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety standards, hygiene regulations (HACCP), and Trust policies.
• Developing menus that meet dietary requirements, including special dietary needs.
• Managing stock control, ordering, and cost efficiency to optimise productivity.
• Working closely with the Chef Manager and Facilities Team to improve catering services, automate processes, and ensure high-quality meal service delivery.
• Upholding customer service excellence, ensuring meals are nutritious, safe, and prepared to the highest standards.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 3 GCSE or equivalent
• NVQ level 2 or equivalent in catering
• NVQ or equivalent in nutrition
• Basic qualification in food hygiene (CIEH Level 2) Basic qualification in food hygiene (CIEH Level 3)
• Previous experience in hospital trust environment
• Previous experience in hotel or similar large establishment

EXPERIENCE

• Culinary service, hospitality, restaurant or large retail environment
• Working with basic PC, printers and scanners
• Experience working with large team
• Complaint handling
• Ability to conduct risk assessments (Familiarisation with risk management protocols)
  If this role is something you would be interested in then please get in touch! We are looking forward to hearing from you and helping the NHS with even more dedicated staff!
  Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
  Pay: £29,970.00-£36,483.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site parking
• Sick pay
• Store discount

Work Location: In person
Reference ID: 8281

• Leading food production and preparation for patients, staff, and visitors.
• Supervising and managing the kitchen team, including catering assistants and chefs.
• Ensuring compliance with food safety standards, hygiene regulations (HACCP), and Trust policies.
• Developing menus that meet dietary requirements, including special dietary needs.
• Managing stock control, ordering, and cost efficiency to optimise productivity.
• Working closely with the Chef Manager and Facilities Team to improve catering services, automate processes, and ensure high-quality meal service delivery.
• Upholding customer service excellence, ensuring meals are nutritious, safe, and prepared to the highest standards