Cook

National Trust; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension up to 10% of basic

Free entry to National Trust places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Cook to join our team in the rural Basingstoke area. This permanent role is 37.5 hours per week, with the salary of £25,837.50 per annum. Interview date: 24th November 2026. An online assessment will be used in place of a CV.

You’ll prepare fresh, seasonal dishes from scratch, work within the National Trust Cookbook framework, assist with deliveries and keep the kitchen clean to meet health and safety standards. Induction and allergen training provided.

Qualifications

• Love for good food and friendly attitude.
• Confident following recipes and batch-cooking; eager to learn.
• Aware of health and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present delicious food from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Assist with deliveries and keep the kitchen clean to meet health and safety standards.
• Induction and training in allergens and food safety; mentoring available for growth.

Skills

Food enthusiasm

Friendly attitude

Recipe following

Batch cooking

Health and safety

Job description

Do you have a passion for food? The National Trust is renowned for its food and hospitality. We run 185 cafes all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we'd love you to be a part of it.

We’re looking for a Cook to join us. Because we are in a rural area, please think about how you’d be able to get here for work, before applying for the job.

Benefits: We want to help you look after the things that matter to you, such as saving for your future, getting a discount on your weekly shop, or encouraging you to find a work-life balance. Please read our package, below, to see what benefits we offer you.

Hours: You'll 37.5 hours per week. The days you work per week will vary, but will include bank holidays and weekends

Salary: £25,837.5 per annum

Duration: Permanent

Interview date: 24th November 2026

For this role, you’ll need to complete our online assessment instead of using a C.V. or online application form. This will help us understand more about your strengths and give you more information on the role.

As a Cook, your focus will be in the kitchen, helping to prepare and present delicious food from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Your food will be served directly to visitors.

Using the framework of our ‘National Trust Cookbook’, you’ll prepare, measure and mix ingredients. You’ll help with deliveries and with keeping the kitchen clean, to be compliant with health and safety legislation and to make sure that service runs smoothly.

We’ll give you an induction that fits the job, and training in allergens and food safety, plus any mentoring needed to help you in your role. You can sign up for further professional training and development if you wish.

Who we’re looking for

We’d love to hear from you if you’re:

• someone who loves good food and has a friendly and positive attitude
• confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learn
• aware of health and safety compliance.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary

Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)

Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.

National Trust place

The Vyne, Sherbourne St John, Basingstoke, RG24 9HL

Documents

Cook - A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 15th November 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.