Head Chef

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

Job summary

A well-established garden centre group in Tonbridge is seeking a Head Chef to lead the kitchen team. The role offers the chance to create unique dishes and manage kitchen operations, ensuring quality and compliance with safety regulations. Ideal candidates will have management experience and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The company offers a variety of benefits including meal and store discounts and holiday closures on significant occasions.

Benefits

Security of working in a well-established expanding family business

50% meal discount at any BGC restaurant

20% discount at any BGC store

Discount rates available for Woodthorpe Leisure Park

Qualifications

• 1 years management experience in a kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Taking of deliveries.
• Food preparation.
• Producing specials.
• Prepare, cook, and present food quickly and efficiently to a high standard.
• Monitor portion size and waste.
• Menu Writing.
• Ordering and managing stock.

Skills

Experience of working in a busy kitchen

Creative at making dishes but also able to work to specs

Experience of stock management and ordering

Knowledge of HACCP

Able to manage multiple orders

Professionalism and reliability

Remain calm under pressure

Good time management

Level 3 basic food hygiene

Job description

Head Chef

Full Time –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. We would love to hear from you. Salary negotiable on experience. I years management experience

Skills needed

• Experience of working in a busy kitchen.
• Creative at making dishes but also able to work to specs.
• Experience of stock management and ordering.
• 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

• Taking of deliveries.
• Food preparation.
• Producing specials.
• Prepare, cook, and present food quickly and efficiently to a high standard.
• Monitor portion size and waste.
• Menu Writing.
• Ordering and managing stock.

What we offer

• Security of working in a well-established expanding family business & the associated benefits.
• 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.
• 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: Daniel Allen, Restaurant Manager [e-mail]

Applications close – Monday 5th January 2026