Head Chef

British Garden Centres; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

50% meal discount at BGC restaurants

20% discount at BGC stores

Discount rates for Woodthorpe Leisure

Job summary

British Garden Centres seeks a Head Chef for our Osterley kitchen. This permanent, full-time role leads a busy kitchen, creates menu items, and ensures HACCP compliance while delivering high-quality dishes and teamwork.

You will manage orders, stock and waste, coach chefs, and maintain calm under pressure. Hours are 40 per week, with no evenings, and you’ll enjoy 50% meal discounts at BGC restaurants alongside store discounts.

Qualifications

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen.
• Ability to coach and develop a team.
• Ability to manage multiple orders.
• Knowledge of HACCP.
• Stock and waste management experience.
• Strong time management and reliability.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Being responsible for health and safety.
• Being responsible for food hygiene practices.
• Team management.

Skills

Kitchen management

Carvery experience

HACCP knowledge

Staff coaching

Time management

Stock control

Food hygiene 3

Calm under pressure

Menu development

COSHH awareness

Job description

Head Chef

Location: Osterley

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

40 hours per week – weekdays and 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.

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.
• To be able to coach and develop a team.
• Stock and waste management experience.

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.
• 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.
• 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.