Cook

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

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10%

Free NT entry for you and family

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Perks at work discounts

Holiday allowance up to 32 days

Job summary

National Trust is seeking a Cook to join our team at Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming. The role focuses on preparing and presenting fresh, seasonal dishes for visitors in a busy, rural setting.

A zero-hour contract with a fixed-term until 30 June 2027, weekend and bank holiday work expected. The package includes a pension up to 10% of basic salary, free NT entry for you and your family, season ticket loan, EV car lease where eligible, shopping discounts, and generous holiday allowance.

Qualifications

• Compliance with health and safety in a kitchen.
• Ability to follow National Trust recipes and menus.
• Collaborative team player in a hospitality setting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present food from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Serve food directly to visitors.
• Maintain kitchen cleanliness and uphold health and safety standards.

Skills

Batch-cooking

Food safety

Recipe following

Job description

We’re looking for a Cook to join us! 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.

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.

Salary: £13.25 per hour

Duration: Fixed term until 30th June 2027

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.

Interviews: Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th September

Potential Start Sate: 28th September 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.

What it's like to work here

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.

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

Winkworth Arboretum, Hascombe Road, Godalming, GU8 4AD

Documents

Cook - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 30 August 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.