Head Cook

Apply now, read the job details by scrolling down Double check you have the necessary skills before sending an application.
Cedar Lodge Care Home is located in Taunton, Somerset, and provides specialist dementia, palliative, and respite care for up to 39 residents, alongside The Limes, a dedicated mental health community supporting a further 15 individuals. The home offers a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment, with a strong focus on personalised care, dignity, and resident wellbeing.
Head Cook Contract

• £13.85 per hour
• Contracted to 40 hours per week (8am - 5pm, including alternate weekends)
• Paid DBS, pension, uniform provided
• 5.6 weeks annual leave (based on a full time contract)

No late evenings or split shifts, offering a consistent working pattern and genuine work life balance, alongside ongoing training, development and clear opportunities for career progression within a well structured and supportive environment.
Role Overview
As Head Cook you will take full ownership of the kitchen within a specialist complex care setting, supporting individuals with a range of complex physical and mental health needs. You will lead from the front to deliver high quality, nutritious and enjoyable meals that are central to daily life.
You will drive all aspects of kitchen operations, from menu planning and food preparation to stock control, compliance and team performance. Working with fresh ingredients, you will ensure meals are tailored to individual dietary needs, including modified or specialist diets, while maintaining consistently high standards of presentation, nutrition and food safety.
With a strong focus on efficiency and cost control, you will manage stock, ordering and budgets effectively, minimising waste while ensuring quality is never compromised.
Leading and developing your team, you will build a well organised, motivated and high performing kitchen. xwwtmva This role offers a rare opportunity to combine strong leadership, quality food and a better work life balance.
What We Are Looking For

• City & Guilds 706/1 and 706/2 or equivalent, or working towards
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Proven experience leading or managing a kitchen
• Strong leadership and organisational skills
• Good understanding of dietary requirements, including modified or specialist diets
• A proactive, reliable and quality focused approach

About us
Cedar Lodge Care H
Please click on the apply button to read the full job description