Head Chef

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

Benefits offered by this job

50% meal discount

Discounts at BGC stores

No evening shifts

Job summary

British Garden Centres in Osterley is seeking a Head Chef with flair to lead our Catering Team. You will create menus, manage food ordering, stock control, and ensure high standards of quality and nutrition for guests.

The role includes staff training, coaching, and maintaining kitchen policies. We offer a stable, year-round business with no evening work and meal discounts. Experience in a similar role and HACCP knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience running a busy kitchen with high standards.
• Ability to design menus and order supplies to spec.
• Strong HACCP knowledge and food safety practices.
• Capability to coach and develop kitchen staff.

Responsibilities

• Management duties for the kitchen operations.
• Coach and develop the kitchen team.
• Push sales and optimize deliveries and stock.
• Prepare, cook and present high-quality meals.
• Monitor portion sizes and reduce waste.
• Produce daily specials and maintain standards.

Skills

Kitchen management

Menu development

Stock control

Food safety HACCP

Team coaching

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene

Job description

Location: Osterley

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Hours: 40 Hours Per Week Including Weekends

We are seeking a Head Chef with flair and enthusiasm to join our existing Catering Team in providing good quality and tasty meals to our guests. You will be ensuring fresh and nutritious meals are served by maintaining the highest standards.

You will have management responsibility for the efficient operation of the kitchen. This includes helping creating menus, food ordering, stock control etc., together with ensuring that all kitchen policies and procedures are up to date and staff are compliant with them. Equally important is the training, motivation and inspiration of the kitchen team to deliver a first-class culinary service.

Experience in a similar role essential, 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 & 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:

• Management duties.
• Coaching team.
• Pushing sales.
• 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 – Monday 23rd November 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.