Cook

British Garden Centres; Colchester; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 15,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

No evening work

50% meal discount

Discounts at BGC stores

Leisure Park discounts

Job summary

British Garden Centres in Stanway, near Colchester, is seeking a skilled Cook for a part-time, permanent role. You will prepare meals to menu standards, manage allergens, and deliver high-quality dishes with timely service.

The position emphasizes teamwork, calm in a busy kitchen, and adherence to HACCP guidelines. We offer a supportive family-run environment with a year-round operation, a negotiable rate based on skills, and staff perks including meal discounts and store leisure park benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen.
• Ability to lead a small team and train others.
• Knowledge of HACCP and food safety practices.
• Experience with carvery is advantageous.
• Ability to manage allergens and maintain hygiene.
• Strong time management and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Afternoon Teas.
• Take deliveries and check goods.
• Food preparation and plating.
• Produce daily specials.
• Cook and present food quickly to a high standard.
• Monitor portion sizes and waste.
• Adhere to company policies and standards and assist with training.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Leadership

Food hygiene level 2

Carvery experience

Allergen management

Multitasking

Time management

Calm under pressure

Job description

Location: Stanway

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Part Time

Hours: 25 Hours per Week Including Weekends

We are looking for skilledCook 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 Cook 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. Must have a strong background of kitchen work and leadership. Excellent organisational and communication skills. Be confident in managing allergens. Previous coffee shop kitchen experience is desirable.

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 Afternoon Teas
• 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.
• Adhering to company standards and policies and implementing them.
• Responsible for training team

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 – Tuesday 22nd September 2026

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