Senior Professional Chef apprentice

Summerhayes Care Home is a family-run residential care home committed to providing high-quality, person-centred care in a warm, welcoming and homely environment. Our ethos is centred around treating every resident as an individual, respecting their choices and supporting their physical, emotional and social wellbeing.

Food and mealtimes are an important part of life at Summerhayes. Our kitchen team plays a key role in creating nutritious, enjoyable and varied meals that are tailored to the individual needs, preferences and dietary requirements of our residents. We believe that food should be something to look forward to and that mealtimes should be a positive and enjoyable experience. We are passionate about investing in our staff and supporting people at the beginning of their careers. We provide opportunities for learning, development and progression, helping our apprentices gain valuable practical experience while working towards their qualifications. We are incredibly proud to have been recognised as SME Employer of the Year at the Exeter College Apprenticeship Awards 2026. This award reflects our commitment to supporting apprentices, developing talent and creating meaningful opportunities for people to build successful careers. As a Chef Apprentice at Summerhayes, you will become part of a friendly and supportive team, gaining hands-on experience in a professional care home kitchen while developing your culinary skills and working towards your apprenticeship qualification. You will have the opportunity to learn from experienced members of our kitchen team and play an important role in creating delicious meals and memorable mealtimes for our residents.

We are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Chef Apprentice to join our friendly kitchen team at Summerhayes Care Home and work towards a Level 3 Professional Chef Apprenticeship. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with some existing experience in hospitality or catering who is looking to develop their skills and progress their career. A Level 2 Professional Chef qualification is preferred, although we will consider candidates with relevant practical experience and a genuine passion for cooking.

You will work alongside our experienced kitchen team, gaining hands-on experience in a professional care home kitchen and developing your skills across all areas of professional cookery. This will include food preparation, cooking techniques, presentation, food safety, kitchen hygiene and stock management. You will also learn how to cater for individual dietary requirements, allergies and specialist diets, helping to ensure every resident can enjoy mealtimes safely and with dignity. As part of the role, you will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a professional catering environment. You will play an important role in creating enjoyable mealtimes and making a positive difference to the everyday lives of our residents. We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, reliable, passionate about food and committed to developing their skills. In return, we will provide you with the support, training and experience you need to successfully complete your Level 3 Professional Chef Apprenticeship and build a rewarding career in the catering industry.

List of duties:

• Assist with the preparation, cooking and presentation of fresh, nutritious and appetising meals for residents.
• Work alongside the kitchen team to prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
• Follow recipes and develop a range of professional cooking techniques as part of the Level 3 Professional Chef Apprenticeship.
• Prepare meals to meet individual dietary requirements, allergies and specialist diets.
• Follow IDDSI guidance and ensure food is prepared safely and appropriately for residents who require modified-texture diets.
• Support the kitchen team with menu preparation and contribute ideas for new dishes and meals.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and kitchen safety at all times.
• Follow food safety procedures, including safe food storage, temperature checks and allergen management.
• Assist with stock rotation, deliveries and stock control to minimise food waste.
• Keep kitchen areas, equipment and work surfaces clean and organised.
• Work as part of a team to ensure meals are prepared and served on time.
• Support with the presentation and serving of meals, ensuring residents receive food that is appetising and appropriate to their needs.
• Take pride in creating enjoyable mealtimes and helping to make food a positive part of residents' daily lives.
• Build positive relationships with residents and take their individual preferences and feedback into consideration.
• Complete all required apprenticeship training and coursework and actively work towards the Level 3 Professional Chef qualification.
• Follow all Summerhayes Care Home policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding and infection prevention and control.
• Carry out any other reasonable duties required to support the smooth running of the kitchen and care home.