Head Chef

British Garden Centres; Scarborough; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No evening work

Meal discounts (50%)

Store discounts (20%)

Woodthorpe Park discounts

Job summary

British Garden Centres is seeking an experienced Kitchen Chef to manage busy kitchen operations at our Irton site. You will oversee food preparation, ensure dishes meet quality standards, and work with a team to deliver consistent results.

The role requires carvery experience, HACCP knowledge, and the ability to coach staff, manage stock and waste, and keep safety at the forefront. 40-hour weeks, permanent contract, weekdays and weekends.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.
• Ensuring kitchen meets sanitary and food safety guidelines.
• Health and safety responsibility.
• Food hygiene practices enforcement.
• Team management with high attention to detail.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Carvery experience

HACCP knowledge

Staff coaching

Stock and waste management

Calm under pressure

Time management

Education

Level 3 food hygiene (adv)

Tools

COSHH awareness

Job description

Location: Irton

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.

Applications close – Monday 5th October 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.