Café Chef – The Park Restaurant, Cadbury Garden Centre
Full Time | Daytime Hours | Every Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day & Easter Off
Are you a passionate chef looking for a role that gives you back your evenings?
The Park Restaurant at Cadbury Garden Centre is looking for a talented and enthusiastic Café Chef to join our thriving kitchen team. Reporting to the Head Chef and Sous Chef, you'll play an important role in preparing fresh, high-quality food in one of our busy daytime restaurants.
From freshly cooked breakfasts and hearty lunches to paninis, jacket potatoes, sandwiches, homemade soups and daily specials, you'll help deliver the delicious food our customers return for time and again.
If you love cooking fresh food, thrive in a busy kitchen and are looking for an outstanding work-life balance, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
The Role
As a Café Chef, you'll support the daily operation of the kitchen by preparing and serving consistently high-quality dishes while maintaining exceptional food safety and hygiene standards.
Working closely with the Head Chef and Sous Chef, you'll help create an outstanding dining experience for every guest through great food, teamwork and attention to detail.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare and cook breakfast, lunch and daily specials to company specifications.
- Produce fresh garden centre favourites including breakfasts, sandwiches, paninis, jacket potatoes, salads, soups and hot meals.
- Support the Head Chef and Sous Chef in the smooth day-to-day running of the kitchen.
- Ensure every dish is presented to a consistently high standard.
- Follow all HACCP, food safety and hygiene procedures.
- Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness throughout the kitchen.
- Prepare ingredients and complete daily mise en place.
- Assist with stock control, stock rotation and deliveries.
- Minimise food waste through careful preparation and portion control.
- Follow recipes and specifications accurately.
- Work efficiently during busy service periods while maintaining quality.
- Ensure kitchen equipment is used safely and maintained correctly.
- Contribute ideas for seasonal specials and menu improvements.
- Support colleagues and promote a positive team environment.
- Help achieve kitchen GP targets through effective stock management and waste reduction.
What We're Looking For
- Previous experience as a Café Chef, Cook or similar kitchen role.
- Passion for producing fresh, quality food.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Calm and efficient under pressure.
- Good understanding of food hygiene and HACCP.
- Pride in presentation and attention to detail.
- Positive attitude with excellent teamwork skills.
- Reliable, punctual and hardworking.
- Flexible approach during busy trading periods.
- A willingness to learn, develop and progress.
- Food Safety Level 2 qualification is desirable but not essential.
What We Offer
- Daytime hours only – enjoy your evenings.
- Every Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Easter off.
- Competitive hourly pay.
- Company pension.
- Staff discount across our Garden Centres.
- Meals on duty.
- Full training and continuous development.
- Genuine career progression opportunities.
- Supportive leadership from an experienced Head Chef and Sous Chef.
- Modern, well-equipped kitchen.
- A healthy work-life balance rarely found in hospitality.
Why Join The Park Restaurant?
The Park Restaurant is proud to serve freshly prepared food in a welcoming environment where quality and hospitality go hand in hand. We believe great food begins with passionate people, and we're committed to creating a kitchen where our chefs are supported, valued and encouraged to grow.
If you're looking for a rewarding daytime hospitality career where your passion for cooking can flourish without sacrificing your evenings, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and become part of The Park Restaurant at Cadbury Garden Centre, where fresh food, exceptional hospitality and genuine work-life balance come together.
Pay: £13.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
