Chief Cook

MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets); Gosport; Hybrid; GBP 25,740 - 31,460; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

104 days annual leave

Life assurance (4× salary)

Private medical insurance

Employer contribution pension (up to 10%)

Wellbeing portal

Annual learning and development opportunities

Job summary

A charitable organization is seeking a Chief Cook to join their team on the TS Royalist, sailing from Gosport. The role involves catering for cadets and crew, planning menus, and managing food supplies. Applicants need catering experience, qualifications in food hygiene, and the ability to work effectively with young people. The position offers a salary of £28,600 gross per annum, with 104 days of annual leave. Overtime is not recognized, and hours are flexible due to maritime employment demands.

Qualifications

• Experience in catering for large groups.
• Ability to manage food ordering and storage.
• Current Seafarer Medical Certificate or willingness to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Plan menus and order supplies for cadets and staff.
• Prepare and cook food for up to 34 individuals.
• Maintain records of food items and hygiene practices.
• Supervise cadets in domestic duties.

Skills

Catering experience

Working with young people

Communication skills

Emotional intelligence

Education

Food hygiene qualification

First aid qualification

Job description

MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets) provided pay range

This range is provided by MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Location: Operating from Gosport, but sailing around the UK and near-continent

Contract: Full Time, permanent

Salary: £28,600 gross per annum

Closing Date: 18 January 2026

Are you someone with catering experience who is looking for a unique offshore experience? The Marine Society & Sea Cadets (MSSC) is a vibrant and growing charity, delivering life‑changing nautical adventure for young people, to give them the best possible head start in life. We also provide personal and professional development opportunities for seafarers with the Marine Society. Working with our staff, cadets, and volunteers, we have built a vision and five‑year strategy to take us forward and further improve the astounding contribution already made through our work to the lives of thousands of young people and seafarers, while fully supporting our volunteers who are vital to our success.

We are currently looking for a Chief Cook to join our team.

About The Role

We are seeking to appoint a Chief/Sole Cook to our 32 metre Flagship, the Training Ship (TS) Royalist, which operates out from Gosport, in Hampshire. The vessel undertakes 6‑day voyages around the coastal waters of the UK and near continent for up to 24 Cadets (aged 12‑18 years). Applicants should have the requisite experience and ability to cook for up to 34 embarked crew, together with the ability of managing food ordering and management of food stores. The position will work closely with the vessel's Coxswain, to assist with Cadet administration, morale, safeguarding, welfare and discipline.

Requirements

Catering experience and a working knowledge of working with young people are highly desirable. Qualifications in food hygiene and first aid, good communication skills, and a high level of emotional intelligence are also required.

Applicants should hold a current Seafarer Medical Certificate or be willing to obtain one. The ability to work effectively with young people as well as the permanent and relief crew members is essential. Ship system familiarisation, child safeguarding and any necessary sea safety course training will be given to the successful applicant.

The particular demand of seagoing employment requires the incumbent to be available for duty for prolonged periods and working hours necessarily need to be very flexible. Overtime will not be recognised; the working and rest hours for the role will be within the confines of the terms of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. Holiday arrangements are afforded within the uncertain nature of the working hours.

For an informal discussion about the Chief Cook role on board our vessels, please contact MSSC's Offshore Office on 07798675147.

Applications should consist of a completed application form and equal opportunities monitoring form, both available from the website. You may submit your CV in support of your application, but the appropriate application form must be completed if you wish to be considered for these roles.

Responsibilities

• Plan menus and order victualing supplies to provide the cadets and adult staff with a well‑balanced and nutritious diet (taking into account specialist diets and allergies).
• Prepare and cook food.
• Hold custody and control of onboard stocks of food supplies.
• Organise and run arrangements for the serving of food, preparation and clearing away of dining areas, the ship's galley and pantry. This involves close supervision of cadets as they undertake domestic mess duties.
• Maintain appropriate records of food items (fridge temperatures, food delivery checks).
• Operate and oversee a structured deep‑cleaning routine for all areas under the responsibility of the Chief Cook, especially the galley, pantry, food stores and other associated catering spaces.
• Assist in the cleaning stations below decks, in conjunction with the vessel's Coxswain.
• Form part of the ship's emergency response team.
• Assist with the completion of joining/leaving paperwork for visiting personnel.
• Assist with the maintenance of cadet discipline on board.
• Look after the welfare, safeguarding and pastoral needs of the cadet crew.
• Assist with husbandry and other general maintenance tasks.

Other Duties

To deliver services effectively, a degree of flexibility is needed, and the post holder may be required to perform work not specifically referred to above. Such duties, however, should not normally exceed those expected of an employee at that level.

Benefits

• 104 days annual leave per annum, 84 individual days during the sailing season (1 Mar – 30 Nov) and 20 working days during the winter refit period (1 Dec – 28 Feb).
• Life assurance (4× salary) for those that join the charity's pension scheme.
• Private medical insurance.
• Pension (employer contribution up to 10 %).
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling.
• Employee development: annual learning calendar and development opportunities to support employees to reach their full potential.
• National staff conference: annual offsite staff conference for reflection, celebration and networking.

Information

MSSC positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. Equity, diversity and inclusion matter to us. We ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process and aspire to be a charity where diversity of experience, identity and skills is valued and welcomed. MSSC is an equal‑opportunity employer.

We recognise our responsibilities to safeguard and protect the young people and vulnerable adults with whom we work. We promote their health, safety and wellbeing, and expect our staff to share this commitment. Employment is subject to detailed pre‑employment checks, including references and criminal disclosure checks and a disclosure questionnaire.

All successful applicants are required to attend safeguarding training and undergo a criminal record check.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Other

Industries

IT Services and IT Consulting