Join a welcoming residential care home as a Catering Manager, leading a dedicated hospitality team to deliver fresh, nutritious meals that enhance residents’ wellbeing while maintaining exceptional food quality and hygiene standards.

Catering Manager

Romford, Essex (Parkside Residential Home)
Full-time (37.5 hours per week)
Permanent
£35,000 per annum

Please note: Applicants must be authorised to work in the UK

Parkside Residential Home is a warm and welcoming Christian care home run by Romford Baptist Church Housing Association Limited. The home provides high-quality residential care in a supportive community where dignity, wellbeing and respect are at the heart of daily life.

Food and hospitality play a central role in the resident experience at Parkside. Freshly prepared meals contribute greatly to residents’ health, comfort and enjoyment. The home prides itself on delivering nutritious, home-cooked meals while maintaining exceptional food hygiene standards and a positive dining environment for residents and visitors.

The Role

As Catering Manager, you will lead and inspire the Hospitality team, ensuring high-quality, freshly prepared meals are delivered seven days a week. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will oversee kitchen operations, support staff development and maintain excellent food safety and hygiene standards.

You will work closely with care staff and residents to ensure menus reflect dietary requirements, preferences and nutritional needs, helping to create an enjoyable and personalised dining experience.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and manage the hospitality and kitchen team
Prepare and cook fresh, nutritious meals two days per week
Ensure freshly prepared meals are served seven days a week through effective rota management
Develop seasonal and rotating menus tailored to residents’ dietary needs and preferences
Maintain high standards of food preparation, presentation and service
Manage kitchen stock, supplier relationships and catering budgets
Maintain the home’s 5-star Food Hygiene rating and ensure full regulatory compliance
Implement and monitor HACCP and food safety procedures
Maintain kitchen records including temperature logs, cleaning schedules and audits
Organise catering for events, celebrations and special occasions
Work closely with residents and families to gather feedback and improve the dining experience

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for an experienced catering professional with strong leadership skills and a passion for preparing nutritious meals in a care home or hospitality environment. You will be organised, proactive and committed to maintaining the highest standards of food quality and kitchen management.

Catering qualification such as City & Guilds, BTEC or equivalent NVQ Level 3 in Practical Cookery or similar Food Hygiene Certificate (minimum Level 2)
Knowledge of HACCP and food safety regulations
Minimum 2 years’ experience cooking for 30+ people in a professional kitchen
Experience managing kitchen teams or hospitality staff
Experience managing stock control, suppliers and kitchen budgets
Strong organisational and time-management skills
Good IT skills including Microsoft Office
Ability to work collaboratively with care teams and engage positively with residents

Benefits:

Parkside Residential Home offers a supportive and friendly working environment where staff are valued and encouraged to develop.

Competitive salary of £35,000 per annum
Stable full-time role within a respected residential care home
Opportunity to lead and develop a dedicated hospitality team
Meaningful work supporting the wellbeing of residents
Supportive management and team environment
Training and development opportunities

How to apply for the role:

If you have the skills and experience required for this position, click “apply” today and check your inbox for an email providing more information on how to complete your application and provide any other supporting documents.

You must be authorised to work in the UK. No agencies, please.

Other suitable skills and experience include: Head Chef, Kitchen Manager, Care Home Chef, Hospitality Manager, Food Service Manager, Residential Home Chef, Sous Chef, Catering Supervisor, Kitchen Operations Manager, Chef Manager.