2nd Chef

2nd Chef

Location

Chilton

Contract Type

Permanent

Hours

Full-time

Hours

40 Hours Per Week – Including 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.

The Role

As a skilled and motivated 2nd Chef, you will support the delivery of high quality dishes that delight our customers through great flavour, presentation, and timely service. You will work confidently across the kitchen, following recipes and instructions to produce well prepared meals whilst also contributing creative ideas for specials and home baked items. This role requires someone who can work efficiently in a busy environment, multitask with ease as well as work with a variety of ingredients and cooking techniques. Your focus will be on maintaining high standards, support the Head Chef, helping to uphold and enhance our reputation for quality. If you take pride in your craft, enjoy contributing ideas and thrive in a fast paced kitchen, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook food quickly, efficiently and to a consistently high standard
• Work safely in the kitchen, following all equipment and food handling procedures
• Maintain stock levels through accurate ordering, rotation and monitoring
• Support kitchen cleanliness by keeping all areas clean, hygienic and well organised
• Monitor portion control and minimise waste in line with company guidelines
• Prepare and maintain the carvery including setup, service and cleaning
• Complete kitchen paperwork and records accurately as required

About You

• Commercial catering experience with confidence working in a busy kitchen
• Carvery knowledge and experience preparing carvery items
• Strong communication skills and a positive team focused approach
• HACCP knowledge with an understanding of safe working practices
• Allergen and portion control awareness including meat weights and safe handling
• Professional and reliable with the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Good time management and the ability to prioritise tasks effectively
• Level 2 Food Hygiene (essential)
• COSHH and chemical safety awareness

What We Offer

• Employee discount across our Garden Centres, Restaurants and Leisure Park
• Free onsite parking
• We are a team that truly lives our PROUD values — passionate about what we do, taking ownership, supporting one another, and continually growing and developing together. We listen, we show that everyone matters, we value and respect each other, and we lead with fairness and consideration.

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

Andreea Sirbu - asirbu@britishgardencentres.com

Applications close – Friday 5th June 2026

Due to the high volume of applications, we will only contact you if your application is successful.