Cook

National Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10%

Free NT entry for you and a guest

Season ticket loan

EV car lease (where applicable)

Discounts (gym, shopping, cinema)

Holiday allowance up to 32 days + buy‑

Flexible working where possible

Employee assistance programme

Free parking

Job summary

The National Trust in London (Morden Hall Park) is seeking a Cook for a fixed-term contract until 16 February 2027. The role is 22.5 hours per week across 3 days, including weekends, with shifts typically 8am–4pm or 9am–5pm.

You will cook from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients, following the National Trust Cookbook, and receive training on allergens and food safety. Interviews are 6–8 October 2026; start date as soon as possible.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates a genuine love for food and works with a positive attitude.
• Confident in following recipes and batch cooking, with willingness to learn.
• Aware of health and safety compliance in a kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present fresh food from scratch using seasonal ingredients.
• Assist with deliveries and keep the kitchen clean and compliant with safety rules.
• Follow the National Trust Cookbook framework for measurements and recipes.
• Participate in induction and training on allergens and food safety.

Skills

Passion for good food

Friendly attitude

Following recipes

Batch cooking

Health and safety awareness

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.

Contract type

Fixed-term contract until 16 February 2027

Hours

22.5 hours per week

Salary

£17,491.50 per annum (£14.95 per hour)

Work pattern

3 days per week, including weekends. Typical shifts are 8am to 4pm or 9am to 5pm.

Interview dates

6, 7 and 8 October 2026. Additional interview dates can be arranged if required.

Potential start date

As soon as possible.

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

To find out more about what it’s like to work in a food and beverage team for the National Trust, click here to watch our video.

Working at Morden Hall Park offers the opportunity to be part of a friendly, supportive and passionate catering team serving thousands of visitors throughout the year. Our food and beverage operation includes a busy café, seasonal kiosks and event catering, all set within a beautiful National Trust property. This role reports directly to the Chef and offers the chance to work with high‑quality ingredients, contribute ideas and develop skills in a fast‑paced environment while helping create memorable experiences for our visitors. This role has no direct reports.

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.

You can view the full role profile for this role in the document attached. You don't need to have all of the knowledge, skills and experience listed in the role profile; this is just to provide a full picture of what’s possible in this role.

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)
• 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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.

National Trust place

Morden Hall Park, Morden Hall Road, London, SM4 5JD

Documents

Cook - A2.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Additional information

Closing Date: 4th October 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.