Cook

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty; East Clandon; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension up to 10%

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 its team at Hatchlands Park, East Clandon. This role involves preparing and presenting fresh, seasonal dishes for visitors in a kitchen environment, with a focus on food safety and quality. The position operates on a zero-hour contract, with weekend and bank holiday availability required.

Salary is £13.25 per hour, with a 1-year fixed term that may be extended. Induction and training in allergens and food safety are provided, plus potential for

Qualifications

• Love for good food and a friendly, positive attitude.
• Confident following recipes and batch cooking; willing to learn.
• Aware of health and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present meals from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Assist with deliveries and keeping the kitchen clean and compliant with health and safety legislation.
• Support the kitchen team to ensure smooth service and food preparation.

Skills

Food passion

Recipe following

Health and safety awareness

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:This is a zero-hour contract, meaning wecan’tguarantee a set number of hours each week.While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs.We’lltry 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 shifts is typically 9/10am to 15:30/16:00pm. Working days will differ, but shifts can fall on any day of the week, including weekends.

Salary:£13.25 per hour

Duration:1 year fixed term with the option to extend

Interview date: To be agreed with the candidate

Potential start date: 11th October 2026 or earlier

If you have a passion for cooking we want to hear from you. Experience is not essential

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

• 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’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

Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, Guildford, GU4 7RT

Documents

Cook - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 20th 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.