Head Chef

British Garden Centres; Chipping Ongar; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading garden centre company in England is seeking a Head Chef to manage kitchen operations and create innovative dishes. The ideal candidate will have experience in a busy kitchen and a passion for food. You will oversee food inventory, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and work collaboratively with all kitchen staff. The role offers a split shift without evening work in a well-established family business.

Benefits

50% meal discount at any restaurant

20% discount at any store

Closed on major holidays

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen.
• Ability to create dishes and work to specifications.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Controlling and directing the food preparation process.
• Approving and polishing dishes before they reach customers.
• Managing and working closely with other Chefs.

Skills

Experience of working in a busy kitchen

Creative at making dishes

Experience of cooking carvery

Knowledge of HACCP

Able to manage multiple orders

Professionalism and reliability

Good time management

Education

Level 3 basic food hygiene

Job description

Head Chef
Full Time –30-40 Hours Per Week -Including Weekends.
Flexible
British Garden Centres are looking for a Head Chef to bring your ideas and talents to our fast-growing company of over 70 Centres and growing.
Managing and working closely with other Chefs of all levels. Creating menu items, recipes and developing dishes ensuring variety and quality. Determining food inventory needs, stocking and ordering. Ultimately responsible for ensuring the kitchen meets all regulations including sanitary and food safety guidelines.

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. Experience of cooking carvery an advantage
We would love to hear from you. Salary negotiable on experience.

What we offer:
No evening work, split shifts or unsociable hours, year-round business.
Security of working in a well-established expanding family business & the associated benefits
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, additionally discount rates available for Woodthorpe 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 3 basic food hygiene is an advantage.

Duties include:
• Controlling and directing the food preparation process.
• Approving and polishing dishes before they reach the customer.
• Managing and working closely with other Chefs of all levels.
• Determining food inventory needs, stocking, and ordering.
• Ultimately responsible for ensuring the kitchen meets all regulations including. sanitary and food safety guidelines.
• Being responsible for health and safety.
• Being responsible for food hygiene practices.
• Team management, high level attention to detail.
• Experience of kitchen equipment.
• Awareness of Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) and chemical safety.
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.

To apply: please send your CV to Jo Edwards Regional Restaurant Manager [e-mail]
Applications close –Friday 1st August 2025
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.