Job Description

Are you a Cook/Chef and want some work life balance back in your life? Then this could be the perfect opportunity for you as there are no late nights! At Yorkshire Garden Centres, we believe in creating a friendly, supportive working environment – so, if you’re ready to be part of something GREAT, we want to hear from you!

As a Cook/Chef, you'll be part of a supportive team - you'll get to focus on the delivery of GREAT quality food, menu discipline, get creative with specials, and you'll benefit from the support of a management team who lead on menu changes, marketing, margin controls and admin tasks. Once service is done, you'll get to hang up your apron and enjoy work-life balance.

We have varied work patterns available, ranging from part-time to full time positions.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Cook/Chef, you will be required to:

• Assist in delivering excellent service and maintaining high standards.
• Ensure that all Health and Safety standards are met at all times.
• Ensure all due diligence files are completed and signed.
• Contribute as necessary to the improvement/changes to the menu, production methods and environment.
• Maintain a clean, organised kitchen by following "clean as you go" practices.
• Consistently deliver quality food in line with our high-quality standards.
• Minimise waste (portion control, complaints, quality, presentation, mistakes).
• Manage, train and coach new starters as necessary.
• Maintain and promote excellent team working across all areas of catering.
• Cleanliness of the kitchen such as deep cleaning, extraction, cookers and ovens to be of high standard always.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise:

The ideal Cook/Chef is someone who:

• Has a qualification or recognised apprenticeship (desirable).
• Has previous experience of working in a busy kitchen environment (essential).
• Has good knowledge of food industry regulations and food safety standards.

Why Join Our GREAT Team?

🌿 A GREAT Place to Work

Friendly, fun, and down-to-earth – we cultivate a positive team spirit every day.

⏰ Work-Life Balance

All roles operate within daytime hours - so your evenings stay yours.

🛍️ Up to 33% Staff Discount

Treat yourself to garden and home favourites (*varies by department/concession).

🚗 Free On-Site Parking

Arrive stress-free with plenty of parking.

🏆 GREAT Values & Recognition

We live our values and celebrate yours with monthly awards and shout-outs.

🎉 Monthly Team Engagement Events

From information sharing to free food – we love bringing the team together.

🌴 Enhanced Holiday Allowance

More time off that grows with your length of service.

🌱 Grow Your Career

We support your development with company-sponsored training.

💚 Well-being Support to Help You Thrive

Employee Assistance Programme including 24/7 GP access, funeral concierge, and mental health support – we’re here when you need us.

💷 Pension Contributions

Helping you plant the seeds for a secure future.

🪴 Supporting Causes That Matter to Our Team

Through our Kindness Pot, we donate to charities and local causes close to our team’s hearts – planting seeds of kindness in the community.