Chef in Farnham

Company Description

Squire’s Garden Centres is a family-owned group of 17 garden centres located across Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, West London, and Middlesex. Established in 1936, the company has a long-standing reputation for high standards in horticultural retailing and customer service. Squire’s aims to be the best local garden centre by treating customers, team members, and suppliers fairly. The centres offer quality plants, garden products, furniture, houseplants, and gifts, alongside welcoming Café Bars serving breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Squire’s also hosts seasonal planting masterclasses and children’s events, creating a vibrant and community-focused environment.

Role Description

The Chef role is a full-time, on-site position based at Squire’s Garden Centre in Farnham. The Chef will prepare and cook a variety of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, ensuring consistent quality, taste, and presentation. Day-to-day tasks include planning and executing menu items, handling food preparation, managing stock levels, and maintaining high food safety and hygiene standards in the kitchen. The Chef will work closely with the Café Bar team to deliver timely service, coordinate with front-of-house colleagues during busy periods, and support menu changes or seasonal offerings. The role also involves keeping the kitchen clean and organized, following health and safety procedures, and contributing to a welcoming atmosphere for customers and team members.

Qualifications

• Strong culinary skills, including experience in preparing café-style menus such as breakfast dishes, light lunches, and afternoon teas.
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene regulations, and best practices, with relevant food handling or food hygiene certifications preferred.
• Experience working in a busy kitchen environment, with the ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and maintain quality under pressure.
• Collaborative and professional interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a kitchen and front-of-house team.
• Good organizational skills for stock control, kitchen cleanliness, and maintaining orderly food preparation areas.
• Flexibility to work weekdays, weekends, and peak seasonal periods as required by the garden centre’s opening hours.
• Previous experience as a Chef or Cook in a café, restaurant, or similar setting; experience in garden centre or hospitality environments is an advantage.
• Formal culinary training or relevant vocational qualifications are beneficial but not essential if equivalent experience can be demonstrated.