Cook

National Trust; Buckingham; On-site; GBP 21,353,000 - 24,108,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Cook to join our team at Stowe, Buckinghamshire, preparing meals from fresh, seasonal ingredients and following our cookbook framework to serve visitors.

You will work 22.5 hours per week with a shift from 8:30am to 4:15pm, including weekends. Induction and allergen/food safety training are provided, plus opportunities for additional development and benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in a kitchen and ability to follow recipes.
• Compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present food from scratch using seasonal ingredients.
• Assist deliveries and keep the kitchen clean for safety.
• Undergo induction and allergen/food safety training.

Skills

Positive attitude

Recipe following

Health & safety

Job description

Summary

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: While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We'll try to give as much notice as possible. The role includes weekends and Bank Holidays but does not require evening or split shifts. A cook's shift is typically 8:30am to 4:15pm. You'll be working 22.5 hours per week. Working days will differ, but shifts can fall on any day of the week including weekends.

Salary: £13.25 per hour

Duration: Fixed Term until 30th September 2027

Interview date: 29th September or 1st October

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.

What You'll Be Doing

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

• 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)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• 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.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

Location

National Trust place Stowe, Stowe, Buckingham, MK18 5EQ

Documents

Cook - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date

27 September 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.