Agency Chef

Job Description:

Agency Care Home Chef – Temporary Shifts – Croydon

Location: Croydon

Role Type: Temporary / Agency

Shift Pattern: Day Shifts & Weekend Shifts

Expected Hours: Flexible / Ad Hoc Hours Available

Regulatory Setting: FSA Regulated Environments

Open To: Male & Female Candidates

Job Overview

We are seeking skilled and dynamic Agency Care Home Chefs to join our growing team supporting care homes and healthcare settings across London.

This is an exciting opportunity for experienced chefs who are passionate about delivering nutritious, high-quality meals for elderly and vulnerable residents while working within professional care environments.

The ideal candidate will possess strong culinary expertise, excellent food safety knowledge, and experience managing kitchen operations in fast-paced settings. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards of food preparation, kitchen hygiene, and resident satisfaction.

We are looking for reliable, flexible, and professional chefs who can adapt to various care home settings and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Key Responsibilities

• Planning, preparing, and cooking meals for care home residents
• Preparing IDDSI modified meals in line with dietary and swallowing requirements
• Overseeing daily food preparation and cooking activities while ensuring consistency and quality
• Supervising kitchen staff, providing support, guidance, and leadership where required
• Managing food production schedules to meet service demands efficiently
• Ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, hygiene standards, and FSA requirements
• Monitoring stock levels, managing inventory, and minimising food waste
• Maintaining a clean, organised, and safe kitchen environment
• Completing kitchen documentation, temperature checks, and food safety records accurately
• Supporting hospitality service and maintaining a professional approach at all times
• Working collaboratively with care home staff to support residents’ dietary and nutritional needs

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience as a Chef, Care Home Chef, or Agency Chef preferred
• Experience within healthcare, care home, catering, or hospitality environments desirable
• Strong knowledge of food production, preparation, and cooking techniques
• Knowledge and experience preparing IDDSI modified food essential
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate required
• IDDSI Modified Food Training Certificate required
• Good understanding of food safety standards and kitchen hygiene practices
• Previous kitchen supervision or leadership experience preferred
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Professional, reliable, and flexible approach to work
• Ability to work efficiently in fast-paced kitchen environments
• Strong communication and teamwork skills

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly pay rates
• Flexible temporary and ad hoc shifts
• Ongoing support from a dedicated recruitment team
• Opportunity to work across a variety of care home settings
• Supportive and professional working environments
• Regular weekday and weekend shifts available
• Immediate starts available

If you are an experienced Care Home Chef looking for flexible temporary opportunities across London, we would love to hear from you.