Chef

British Garden Centres; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal discounts

20% off at BGC store

Family-run business benefits

Job summary

British Garden Centres in Thatcham is seeking a part-time Chef to prepare meals to the menu and deliver them timely to customers.

You should have experience in a busy kitchen, be able to multitask, follow recipes, and maintain HACCP standards. Carvery experience is desirable.

We offer 20 hours per week with weekends, in a family-run business, plus benefits including meal discounts and staff perks.

Qualifications

• Experience in busy kitchen environments.
• Ability to follow exact recipes and specs.
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety practices.
• Carvery experience is desirable but not essential.
• Able to manage multiple orders simultaneously.
• Demonstrates professionalism, reliability and calmness under pressure.
• Strong time management and organisation.
• Level 2 basic food hygiene is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Receiving deliveries and checking supplies.
• Food preparation and cooking to high standards.
• Producing specials and daily offerings.
• Prepare, cook and present dishes quickly and efficiently.
• Monitor portion sizes and waste to minimise costs.
• Keep the kitchen clean and well organized.

Skills

Busy kitchen experience

Follow recipes to specs

Carvery experience desirable

HACCP knowledge

Multitasking

Professionalism

Calm under pressure

Time management

Food hygiene Level 2 (adv)

Job description

Location: Thatcham

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Part Time

Hours: 20 Hours per Week Including Weekends

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.

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.

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.

Carvery Experience desirable

What we offer:

• Security of working in a well-established expanding family business.
• 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:

• Receiving deliveries.
• Food preparation.
• Producing specials.
• Prepare, cook, and present food quickly and efficiently to a high standard.
• Monitor portion size and waste.
• Clean and tidy kitchen

Applications close –-Wednesday 23rd September 2026

Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact you if your application is successful.