At a Glance
- Tasks: Create mouth-watering dishes and bring your culinary ideas to life.
- Company: Join a well-established family business with a friendly atmosphere.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive pay, and generous discounts at our restaurants and stores.
- Other info: No late nights, just a supportive team and room for growth.
- Why this job: Show off your creativity in a fast-paced kitchen and delight customers with your cooking.
- Qualifications: Experience in busy kitchens and a passion for food are essential.
The predicted salary is between 12 - 15 £ per hour.
Location: Shinfield
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Part Time (20 Hours Per Week Including Weekends)
We are looking for a skilled Chef to prepare delicious meals according to the menu. You will cook dishes that will delight our customers with their taste and timely delivery. An excellent Chef must be able to follow instructions in cooking and delivering well-prepared meals. They must be deft in moving around the kitchen and apt in multi-tasking. Experience in using various ingredients and cooking techniques is also important. Flexible with weekends and able to do overtime. Need to drive. The goal is to help preserve and enhance our reputation so we can expand our clientele. 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, then we would love to hear from you.
What we offer:
- No evening work, split shifts or unsociable hours, year-round business.
- Security of working in a well-established expanding family business.
- 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, discount rates available at our 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 2 basic food hygiene is an advantage.
Duties include:
- The taking of deliveries.
- Food preparation.
- Producing specials.
- Prepare, cook, and present food quickly and efficiently to a high standard.
- Monitor portion size and waste.
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 Karolina Smagowska, Regional Restaurant Manager at ksmagowska@britishgardencentres.com. Applications close - Monday 29th June 2026. 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.
Chef in Reading employer: British Garden Centres
Join our expanding family business in Shinfield as a Chef, where you will enjoy a supportive work culture that values creativity and teamwork. With no evening shifts and a focus on work-life balance, we offer competitive pay, generous discounts, and the chance to showcase your culinary skills while contributing to our reputation for excellence. Experience personal growth in a stable environment that prioritises employee well-being and satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef in Reading
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at British Garden Centres and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at British Garden Centres that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at British Garden Centres.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at British Garden Centres get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Garden Centres
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at British Garden Centres and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
