Lead Cook - Garden Centre Café (Daytime Hours, Full Time)

Hillier Nurseries Ltd; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sociable daytime hours

Full training and Online Learning Hub

20% employee discount

50% discount on restaurant menu on-shi

31 days annual leave

Free on-site parking

Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme

Company Christmas gifts

Exclusive retail discounts

Free solo entry to gardens

Job summary

Hillier Garden Centre at Eastbourne is seeking a Lead Cook to prepare and cook dishes to Hillier specification, ensuring freshness and high standards. You will oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, maintain food safety compliance and work with front-of-house staff to deliver a seamless dining experience.

This is a full-time, permanent role of 37.5 hours per week on a rota including some weekends. Salary is £30,000 per annum, with sociable daytime hours and excellent employee benefits.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a cook or in a similar food preparation role.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards and hygiene practices.
• Good communication skills and ability to work in a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage busy periods.
• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Uphold Hillier’s standards of service, appearance and customer engagement.
• Prepare and cook a variety of dishes to company specification, ensuring timely service and consistently high standards.
• Cater for authorised dietary requirements while following company procedures.
• Oversee daily kitchen operations, including prep work, cleaning schedules and equipment maintenance.
• Store and rotate stock correctly, manage inventory and assist with ordering supplies when required.
• Maintain portion control and minimise waste in line with Hillier specification.
• Ensure all food safety regulations are followed and that compliance checks are completed and documented.
• Follow health and safety policies, ensuring correct protective equipment is used and kitchen areas remain clean and organised.
• Work collaboratively with front‑of‑house staff to support a smooth customer experience.
• Respond promptly to customer feedback or dietary requests.
• Present food consistently and to specification.
• Support and assist in training other kitchen staff when required.
• Identify, report or address any potential hazards to ensure the safety of customers and colleagues.
• Carry out any other reasonable tasks required to support the needs of the business.

Skills

Cook experience

Food safety

Communication

Working under pressure

Organisational skills

Job description

Hillier Garden Centre at Eastbourne is seeking a Lead Cook to prepare and cook dishes to Hillier specification, ensuring freshness and high standards. You will oversee day-to-day kitchen operations, maintain food safety compliance and work with front-of-house staff to deliver a seamless dining experience.

This is a full-time, permanent role of 37.5 hours per week on a rota including some weekends. Salary is £30,000 per annum, with sociable daytime hours and excellent employee benefits.