Head Chef
| Posting date: | 18 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £30,000 to £32,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 October 2025 |
| Location: | SO41 8PA |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Leisure Solutions |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 1562 |
Summary
HEAD CHEF - INDEPENDENT GARDEN CENTRE - BASED IN THE NEW FOREST, NEAR LYMINGTON - £30,000 TO £32,000 SALARY (DOE) - NO LATE NIGHTS
Leisure Solutions specialise in the recruitment of Leisure and Hospitality professionals across the UK, working with a range of businesses to attract the right people, helping businesses thrive and improving lives.
We are assisting in the recruitment of a chef to join the catering team at this independent garden centre and nursery based in the New Forest.
Head Chef (Daytime Hours, No Late Nights)
Independent Garden Centre & Nursery – New Forest (near Lymington)
Salary: £30,000–£32,000 DOA • Contract: Full-time, c.40 hours • Parking: Free on-site
Why this role?
Join a friendly, well-established independent garden centre with a large multi-use eating area and a well-equipped kitchen. Following extensive refurbishment, they’ve built a strong reputation for fresh, seasonal dishes alongside much-loved staples. They are now looking for a Head Chef who can lead the kitchen while being very much part of a small, supportive, front-and-back-of-house team.
You’ll report to the Operations Manager, take day-to-day responsibility for the kitchen, and work closely with FOH to deliver great food and warm, efficient service.
The role:
Lead the kitchen through prep and service, setting the tone for a calm, organised, friendly operation.
Cook and oversee a jointly agreed menu of fresh, seasonal dishes plus popular classics and snacks; contribute specials and cakes when time allows.
Collaborate with FOH and management to ensure smooth service, clear communication and happy customers.
Own kitchen standards: food production, labelling, stock rotation, allergen control, hygiene and daily/weekly checks.
Manage efficient and economical ordering and stock counts with agreed waste targets.
Maintain accurate kitchen paperwork; support with EHO/HACCP documentation can be provided, as can ordering support via our EPOS.
Train and mentor junior team members in kitchen operations.
About you:
Experienced chef with solid commercial kitchen exposure and the ability to run a kitchen during busy daytime service.
Organised, consistent and hands-on, with excellent attention to detail and a pride in cleanliness and food safety.
Comfortable working as a leader and a teammate—you don’t become an island; you communicate and collaborate.
Confident across multiple sections.
Professional communicator with colleagues and customers.
Knowledge of kitchen health & safety, allergens and best-practice compliance (we’ll help with paperwork as needed).
What they offer:
Sociable daytime hours – no late nights.
A permanent, full-time role (c.40 hours).
Salary £30,000–£32,000 DOE.
A supportive environment where chefs can express themselves within agreed guidelines—think seasonal plates and menu input.
Benefits: company pension, employee discount, discounted/free staff meals, free parking.
Due to location, access to a vehicle is essential.
Leisure Solutions specialise in the recruitment of Leisure and Hospitality professionals across the UK, working with a range of businesses to attract the right people, helping businesses thrive and improving lives.
We are assisting in the recruitment of a chef to join the catering team at this independent garden centre and nursery based in the New Forest.
Head Chef (Daytime Hours, No Late Nights)
Independent Garden Centre & Nursery – New Forest (near Lymington)
Salary: £30,000–£32,000 DOA • Contract: Full-time, c.40 hours • Parking: Free on-site
Why this role?
Join a friendly, well-established independent garden centre with a large multi-use eating area and a well-equipped kitchen. Following extensive refurbishment, they’ve built a strong reputation for fresh, seasonal dishes alongside much-loved staples. They are now looking for a Head Chef who can lead the kitchen while being very much part of a small, supportive, front-and-back-of-house team.
You’ll report to the Operations Manager, take day-to-day responsibility for the kitchen, and work closely with FOH to deliver great food and warm, efficient service.
The role:
Lead the kitchen through prep and service, setting the tone for a calm, organised, friendly operation.
Cook and oversee a jointly agreed menu of fresh, seasonal dishes plus popular classics and snacks; contribute specials and cakes when time allows.
Collaborate with FOH and management to ensure smooth service, clear communication and happy customers.
Own kitchen standards: food production, labelling, stock rotation, allergen control, hygiene and daily/weekly checks.
Manage efficient and economical ordering and stock counts with agreed waste targets.
Maintain accurate kitchen paperwork; support with EHO/HACCP documentation can be provided, as can ordering support via our EPOS.
Train and mentor junior team members in kitchen operations.
About you:
Experienced chef with solid commercial kitchen exposure and the ability to run a kitchen during busy daytime service.
Organised, consistent and hands-on, with excellent attention to detail and a pride in cleanliness and food safety.
Comfortable working as a leader and a teammate—you don’t become an island; you communicate and collaborate.
Confident across multiple sections.
Professional communicator with colleagues and customers.
Knowledge of kitchen health & safety, allergens and best-practice compliance (we’ll help with paperwork as needed).
What they offer:
Sociable daytime hours – no late nights.
A permanent, full-time role (c.40 hours).
Salary £30,000–£32,000 DOE.
A supportive environment where chefs can express themselves within agreed guidelines—think seasonal plates and menu input.
Benefits: company pension, employee discount, discounted/free staff meals, free parking.
Due to location, access to a vehicle is essential.