Chef

British Garden Centres; Greater London; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% meal discount

20% store discount

Job summary

British Garden Centres is seeking an experienced Chef to prepare meals for the carvery and sit within a busy kitchen environment. You will follow the menu, ensure timely delivery, and work flexibly, including weekends.

The role requires strong cooking skills, food hygiene awareness, and the ability to multi‑task in a fast paced setting. This Permanent, full‑time position offers opportunities to showcase creativity, contribute to seasonal specials, and benefit from staff discounts across our

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen.
• Creativity in dish creation while following specs.
• Experience of carvery cooking is an advantage.
• Knowledge of HACCP principles.
• Able to manage multiple orders simultaneously.
• Professional and reliable approach.
• Remain calm under pressure with good time management.
• Level 2 basic food hygiene is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and serving on the carvery.
• Taking deliveries.
• Food preparation and plating.
• Producing daily specials.
• Prepare, cook, and present high‑quality meals quickly.
• Monitor portion sizes and waste.

Skills

Busy kitchen experience

Creative cooking

Carvery cooking

HACCP knowledge

Order management

Professional and reliable

Calm under pressure

Time management

Food hygiene Level 2

Job description

Location: Osterley

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Hours per Week: 30 Hours per Week Including Weekends

About Us

British Garden Centres is the UK’s largest family owned garden centre group, with 80 centres nationwide. Founded by the Stubbs family, the business has grown rapidly through significant expansion and acquisitions, evolving from its first site at Woodthorpe Garden Centre into a national brand.

The group now includes garden centres, restaurants, nurseries, and distribution centres, employing more than 3,500 colleagues across the UK. Despite its scale, British Garden Centres maintains strong family values, a community focus, and a commitment to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for both customers and employees.

We are looking for a skilledChef to prepare delicious meals according to the menu. You will cook dishes that will delight our customers with their taste and timely delivery. Preparing and serving on the carvery.

An excellent Chef must be able to follow instructions in cooking and delivering well-prepared meals. They must be deft in moving around the kitchen and apt in multi-tasking. Experience in using various ingredients and cooking techniques is also important. Flexible with weekends and able to do over time.

The goal is to help preserve and enhance our reputation so we can expand our clientele.

If you are looking for a role where you are given the opportunity to take pride in your work, where you can create your own ideas for specials and home baking, then we would love to hear from you.

What we offer:

No evening work, split shifts or unsociable hours, year-round business.
Security of working in a well-established expanding family business.
Rate of pay negotiable, dependent upon skills and experience.
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day & Easter Sunday
50% meal discount at any BGC restaurant & 20% discount at any BGC store, discount rates available at our Leisure Park.

Skills needed:

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen.
• Creative at making dishes but also able to work to specs.
• Experience of cooking carvery is an advantage.
• Knowledge of HACCP.
• Able to manage multiple orders.
• Professionalism and reliability.
• Remain calm under pressure. Good time management.
• Level 2 basic food hygiene is an advantage.

Duties include:

• Preparing and serving on the carvery
• The taking of deliveries.
• Food preparation.
• Producing specials.
• Prepare, cook, and present food quickly and efficiently to a high standard.
• Monitor portion size and waste.

Applications close – Monday 26th October 2026