Kitchen Manager

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

Job summary

A family-owned garden centre company is seeking a Kitchen Manager to oversee the kitchen operations and ensure quality meals are served. Responsibilities include menu creation, stock control, and team management. The ideal candidate will have substantial kitchen experience and the ability to inspire the team to deliver exceptional culinary service. This role offers competitive pay and flexible working hours.

Benefits

No evening work or unsociable hours

Year-round business

50% meal discount

20% discount at store

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role essential.
• Ability to manage multiple orders.
• Capable of coaching and developing a team.

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.
• Ultimately responsible for ensuring the kitchen meets all regulations including sanitary and food safety guidelines.

Skills

Experience of working in a busy kitchen

Creativity in making dishes

Knowledge of HACCP

Good time management

Stock and waste management experience

Professionalism and reliability

Education

Level 3 basic food hygiene

Job description

Kitchen Manager

Full Time 40 Hours Per Week - Fully flexible Including Weekends.

We are seeking a Kitchen Manager 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, 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.
• 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.

To apply

Please send your CV to: Dan Allen Restaurant Manager [e-mail].

Applications close Monday 3rd November 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.