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- Tasks: Join our kitchen team to prepare delicious food and support the Catering Manager.
- Company: Squire's is a family-owned garden centre group dedicated to happiness and high standards since 1936.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% restaurant discounts, generous holiday, bonuses, and a pension plan.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly, energetic team that values customer service and personal growth.
- Qualifications: A passion for food and a can-do attitude are essential; no prior experience needed.
- Other info: Special perks include early leave on your child's first school day and birthday rewards.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide professional support to the Catering Team, working closely with the Catering Manager to help the department succeed.
Hiring rate: £12.50 per hour
Rota: Full time, 40hrs including alternate weekend working
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Handling customer queries courteously and efficiently
- Maintaining a harmonious and cooperative relationship with customers and staff at all times
- Carrying out all reasonable duties as requested by management
- Working within the kitchen team to prepare salads, vegetables, and sandwiches
- Cooking and baking hot food, sweets, pastries, etc. when required
- Producing all food recipes to specification and recording any wastage/shrinkage in accordance with company guidelines
- Ensuring that all food is stored to the company's standards
- Strictly adhering to all relevant food safety and hygiene regulations
- Undertaking any general cleaning requirements of the kitchen and restaurant
- Working as part of the kitchen and catering team and undertaking any other reasonable duties as required
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people who:
- Have a love and enthusiasm for food preparation and cooking
- Possess a can-do attitude and are looking for a career in catering
Squire's is a family-owned group of 16 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire. Since 1936, the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it. We are committed to growing our business and promoting the highest standards in horticulture, catering, and retail. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic, customer-focused environment.
Rewards & Benefits:
- Employee Discount - 50% in Restaurants and 20% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years' service and 30% after 5 years' service.
- Holiday (including bank holidays) - 5.6 weeks on joining, increasing to 6.2 weeks after 2 years' service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years' service.
- Bonus - A non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year.
- Pension - A Defined Contribution Pension Plan for new employees.
- Attendance - After one year's service, if you have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro-rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a 'Thank you'.
- Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D) - A reward scheme for team members who make a difference through outstanding customer service.
- Learning & Development - A wealth of learning opportunities to enhance and develop your skills.
- Birthday - After 6 months service, if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early.
- Cycle2work scheme - After 1 year's service, offering savings on new cycling equipment.
- Child's first day at school - After 1 year's service, come in late and go home early on your child's first day of school.
- RHS Membership or a Tree/Shrub - After 1 year's service, choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - After 2 years service, access to a range of wellbeing resources.
- Retirement - After 15 years service, contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth but pay will remain the same for the final 3 months.
- Free Parking - Available to all employees in designated parking areas.
Other details: Pay Type Salary
Restaurant: Kitchen - Chef employer: Squires Garden Centres
Contact Detail:
Squires Garden Centres Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Restaurant: Kitchen - Chef
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dishes and food preparation techniques mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss your experience with salads, pastries, and hot food during an interview will show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your passion for food and customer service by sharing personal anecdotes or experiences related to cooking or working in a kitchen. This will help you connect with the Catering Manager and show that you align with our values.
✨Tip Number 3
Research Squire's garden centres and their catering philosophy. Understanding our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction will allow you to tailor your conversation and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions to ask during your interview about the team dynamics and kitchen culture. This not only shows your interest but also helps you assess if this is the right environment for you to thrive in.
We think you need these skills to ace Restaurant: Kitchen - Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in food preparation, cooking, and customer service. Emphasise any previous roles in catering or hospitality to show you understand the demands of the kitchen environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for food and cooking. Mention specific skills that align with the job description, such as your ability to work in a team, handle customer queries, and adhere to food safety regulations.
Show Enthusiasm: In your application, convey your love for food preparation and cooking. Use positive language to express your eagerness to contribute to the Catering Team and your commitment to providing excellent customer service.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application demonstrates attention to detail, which is crucial in a kitchen setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Squires Garden Centres
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your love for food preparation and cooking during the interview. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your enthusiasm, as this role requires a genuine passion for the culinary arts.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since you'll be working closely with the Catering Team, it's important to showcase your ability to work well in a team environment. Be ready to discuss past experiences where you collaborated effectively with others to achieve a common goal.
✨Know Your Food Safety Regulations
Familiarise yourself with food safety and hygiene regulations before the interview. Being able to discuss these standards confidently will show that you take food safety seriously and are prepared to adhere to company guidelines.
✨Prepare for Customer Interaction
As handling customer queries is part of the job, think of examples where you've provided excellent customer service. Be prepared to discuss how you would handle difficult situations or complaints in a courteous and efficient manner.
