Chief Cook

THE MARINE SOCIETY AND SEA CADETS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A maritime training charity is seeking a Chief Cook for their flagship Training Ship Royalist operating from Gosport. The role involves preparing meals for the crew and cadets during 6-day voyages around the UK and nearby areas. Candidates should have catering experience, food hygiene qualifications, and the ability to work with young people. The position comes with a competitive salary, private medical insurance, and annual leave benefits.

Benefits

104 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Pension (employer contribution up to 10%)

Life assurance (4× salary)

Qualifications

• Catering experience and a working knowledge of working with young people.
• Qualifications in food hygiene and first aid.
• Good communication skills and a high level of emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Plan menus and order victualing supplies for cadets and staff.
• Prepare and cook food onboard.
• Assist with cadet welfare and discipline.

Skills

Catering experience

Good communication skills

Ability to work with young people

Emotional intelligence

Education

Qualifications in food hygiene

First aid certification

Job description

Job Title

Chief Cook

Location

Operating from Gosport, but sailing around the UK and near‑continent

Salary

28,600 gross per annum

Job type

Full-time, Permanent

Closing Date

18th January 2026

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 to manage food ordering and 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.
• Qualifications in food hygiene and first aid.
• Good communication skills and a high level of emotional intelligence.
• Ability to hold a current Seafarer Medical Certificate or be willing to obtain one.
• Effective work with young people as well as permanent and relief crew members.
• Ship system familiarisation, child safeguarding and any necessary sea safety course training will be provided.
• The role requires long periods of duty with flexible working hours in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.

Responsibilities

• Plan menus and order victualing supplies to provide cadets and adult staff with a well‑balanced and nutritious diet (including specialist diets and allergies).
• Prepare and cook food.
• Maintain custody and control of onboard food supplies.
• Form part of the ship's emergency response team.
• Assist with the completion of joining/leaving paperwork for visiting personnel.
• Help maintain cadet discipline on board.
• Look after the welfare, safeguarding and pastoral needs of the cadet crew.
• Assist with husbandry and other general maintenance tasks.

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 – 28/9 Feb).
• Life assurance (4× salary) for those joining the charity's pension scheme.
• Private medical insurance.
• Pension (employer contribution up to 10%).
• Wellbeing portal and EAP with 121 counselling.
• Employee development – annual calendar of learning and development opportunities.
• National staff conference held annually.

Application Process

Applications should consist of a completed application form and the 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 to be considered. Click APPLY to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

Applicants with experience of Head Cook, Lead Cook, Galley Supervisor, Senior Cook, Chef will also be considered for this role.