Cafe Cook

Stroud District Council; Stroud; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive team environment

Commitment to work-life balance

Generous annual leave allowance

Job summary

Stroud District Council's Active Lifestyles Stroud is seeking a friendly, motivated Café Cook for Stratford Perk Café in Stratford Park. You will prepare and present food to a high standard, ensuring the kitchen operates safely and in line with food hygiene regulations.

The role covers seven-day operation, weekend and some evenings, with full training provided and opportunities for development. Join a supportive team committed to work-life balance and delivering great customer experiences.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking in a busy environment and delivering high-quality dishes.
• Ability to follow recipes and portion guidelines.
• Knowledge of allergens and dietary requirements.
• Commitment to food safety and hygiene standards.

Responsibilities

• Preparing and cooking menu items to a high standard, ensuring quality and consistency
• Following recipes and portion guidelines
• Maintaining excellent food hygiene and health & safety standards at all times
• Monitoring stock levels and supporting ordering to minimise shortages and waste
• Keeping the kitchen clean, organised, and compliant with regulations
• Working closely with café and centre staff to ensure smooth service during busy periods
• Supporting cost control through portion management and waste reduction
• Contributing ideas for menu improvements and income generation
• Ensuring awareness of allergens and dietary requirements
• Following all relevant policies, procedures, and training requirements

Skills

Food preparation

Cooking techniques

Food hygiene awareness

Stock monitoring

Menu development ideas

Job description

About Active Lifestyles Stroud
Active Lifestyles Stroud is a busy leisure facility situated in the heart of Stratford Park. We are looking to recruit a friendly, motivated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Café Cook to join our team at Stratford Perk Café.

About Active Lifestyles Stroud
Active Lifestyles Stroud is a busy leisure facility situated in the heart of Stratford Park. We are looking to recruit a friendly, motivated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic Café Cook to join our team at Stratford Perk Café.
Job Summary
If you have experience and a passion for food, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and take pride in delivering high-quality dishes, we want to hear from you.
This role plays an important part in enhancing the customer experience at the centre. As Café Cook, you will be responsible for preparing and presenting food to a high standard while ensuring the kitchen operates safely, efficiently, and in line with food hygiene regulations.
The café operates across 7 days, including weekends and occasional evenings. Applicants must be prepared to work flexibly with the Cafe team to meet the needs of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing and cooking menu items to a high standard, ensuring quality and consistency
• Following recipes and portion guidelines
• Maintaining excellent food hygiene and health & safety standards at all times
• Monitoring stock levels and supporting ordering to minimise shortages and waste
• Keeping the kitchen clean, organised, and compliant with regulations
• Working closely with café and centre staff to ensure smooth service during busy periods
• Supporting cost control through portion management and waste reduction
• Contributing ideas for menu improvements and income generation
• Ensuring awareness of allergens and dietary requirements
• Following all relevant policies, procedures, and training requirements

Full training will be provided where required.

Ongoing development
We are committed to investing in your ongoing training and development and will provide opportunities to build your skills and gain experience within the centre.

Benefits

• Supportive team environment
• Commitment to work-life balance
• Generous annual leave allowance

Closing Date: Monday 31st August 2026
Interview Date: Monday 7th September 2026

In exchange for your expertise, experience and enthusiasm we provide a range of staff benefits.

A local government reorganisation is planned for Gloucestershire, which may result in changes to structures and services. Potential changes are provisionally timetabled for April 2028. We are committed to supporting all employees through this transition and ensuring continuity of employment wherever possible. Joining us now means you’ll be part of shaping an exciting new chapter for local government.

It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates and value the diverse lived experiences they bring.

We recognise the wide range of cognitive strengths that contribute to delivering high-quality services.

We are committed to ensuring that every applicant can participate fully and fairly in our recruitment process. To support this, we offer workplace adjustments at every stage. Please let us know if you have any additional requirements as we are here to help create a positive, inclusive, and equitable experience for all.

Responsible recruitment practices for safeguarding are in place within the Council's HR policies and processes. This is part of our commitment as a Council to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people, and children.

Stroud District has an energy unlike any other place. It's green and dynamic, climate conscious and motivated, creative and collaborative, and unapologetically ambitious. To find out more about what makes our place, our people and our businesses so special, please follow the link to our dedicated website: Stroud District - The Natural Place