Chef

British Garden Centres; North Benfleet; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

50% meal discount

20% store discount

Discount rates at Leisure Park

Security of working in a well-establ.

Job summary

British Garden Centres is seeking a skilled Chef to prepare delicious meals in our Alton kitchen. This part-time role offers 20 hours per week including weekends, with no evening work. You will follow the menu, ensure timely delivery of dishes, and handle multiple orders.

Experience in busy kitchens, carvery, HACCP, and the ability to work under pressure are valued; must be able to drive. We offer a supportive family-run environment, flexible shifts, and benefits such as meal discounts and store

Qualifications

• Experience in a busy kitchen and ability to work to high standards.
• Carvery experience is advantageous to the role.
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety requirements.
• Able to manage multiple orders and maintain quality.
• Professional and reliable with good time management.

Responsibilities

• The taking of deliveries.
• Food preparation and cooking to high standards.
• Producing specials and daily dishes.
• Prepare, cook, and present meals quickly and efficiently.
• Monitor portion size and waste.

Skills

Busy kitchen experience

Carvery experience

HACCP knowledge

Multi-tasking

Reliable and professional

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene

Job description

Location: Alton

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Part Time

Hours: 20 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 skilled Chef to prepare delicious meals according to the menu. You will cook dishes that will delight our customers with their taste and timely delivery.

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. Need to drive.

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:

• 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.

If you have passion, can work equally well as part of a team or independently, are up for a challenge and thrive in a fast-paced work environment, then we would love you to become part of our work family.

Applications close Friday 23rd October 2026 Due to the high volume of applications, if your application is successful, someone from the management team will be in touch with you, thank you.