Cook

Nelson and Colne College Group; Nelson; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave

Sick pay

Wellbeing benefits

Staff recognition

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Nelson & Colne College is seeking a dedicated Cook to join the Catering team. You will help prepare and serve high-quality meals across on-site outlets, upholding hygiene, safety and presentation standards.

Working 30 hours per week in a busy environment, you will support the Catering Manager and ensure excellent customer service while managing portions, budgets and stock control. Travel across sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 GCSEs including Maths and English
• Experience in busy, high-volume catering operations
• COSHH and general food hygiene knowledge

Responsibilities

• Prepare and serve nutritious meals across outlets, events
• Maintain high standards of food presentation, hygiene and safety
• Assist Catering Manager with portion control and stock management

Skills

Food preparation

Customer service

Communication skills

Hygiene and COSHH

Education

GCSE Maths and English (4/C)

Basic food hygiene certificate

Job description

The Vacancy

Cook

Salary: Up to £17,986.67 per annum (actual salary), depending on experience (£26,469.51 full time equivalent)

Hours: 30 per week

Working Weeks: 38 per year

Contract Type: Permanent

Site: Nelson & Colne College

Closing Date: Midnight, Sunday 25 October 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 3 November 2026

'Together, Let's Be Extraordinary'

Our Organisation

This role is advertised by ELLG Professional Services. Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, ELLG Professional Services provides expert business support services to the wider Group.

Part of East Lancashire Learning Group, Nelson and Colne College has a national reputation for educational success and is seen within the Further Education sector as a beacon of excellence for teaching and learning. We offer an outstanding range of A Levels, vocational courses, Apprenticeships and Higher Education provision and generations of families have benefited from an exceptional education at Nelson and Colne College.

The Exciting Role

Are you passionate about creating fresh, high-quality food and delivering an excellent customer service experience? We are looking for a skilled and enthusiastic Cook to join our Catering team. Supporting the Catering Manager, you will play a key role in preparing and serving nutritious, great-tasting meals across our food outlets, hospitality services and events. You'll maintain high standards of food presentation, hygiene and safety whilst ensuring customer needs are met with a friendly and professional approach.

If you thrive in a busy catering environment and take pride in producing food of a high standard, we would love to hear from you!

The role will be based at our Nelson & Colne College campus however, travel across sites may be required.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Produce high-quality, fresh and nutritious food whilst ensuring a high standard of presentation
• Ensure adherence to all procedures related to Health and Safety and COSHH regulations with regard to food, equipment, materials and general safety
• Operate within pre-set budgets, implementing portion control, purchasing and stock control
• Work closely with and assist the Catering team to ensure high standards of cleanliness and hygiene in all catering areas, including equipment and storage, are maintained

What We Are Looking For:

• Minimum of 4 GCSE qualifications (or equivalent) including grade C/4 in Maths and English and a basic food hygiene certificate
• Experience of working within a busy, high volume, catering operation
• Excellent customer service skills
• Comprehensive understanding of COSHH and food hygiene requirements
• Possess excellent communication and relationship building skills

What We Offer in Return:

• Access to a workplace pension scheme - with generous employer contributions
• Generous annual leave allowance including a two-week closure over the Christmas period
• Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme and access to family friendly policies and benefits
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits and support
• Staff recognition scheme, including long service awards
• Free on-site parking on all College sites

Please visit our 'working for us' section of our website for a full list of our benefits http://www.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/

Further Questions?

Please contact our friendly HR Team [e-mail]

All of our posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check due to working with vulnerable adults and children. Should you wish to discuss this further, please get in touch with the HR team.

East Lancashire Learning Group

East Lancashire Learning Group (ELLG) is comprised of Nelson and Colne College, Accrington and Rossendale College, Lancashire Adult Learning and ELLG Professional Services. Together we exist to transform lives through education, skills, and opportunity. Across the Group, we are home to 2,400 A Level and technical students aged 16 to 18, 16,500 adult learners, 1,300 apprentices, and 400 higher education students, all taking confident steps into high-value professional and technical careers through skills and higher education.

We are deeply rooted in our communities and proud to work alongside hundreds of local employers, shaping a skilled, adaptable, and ambitious workforce that drives growth and opportunity across our region. Our commitment goes beyond teaching; we offer personalised support, real-world experiences, and pathways that raise aspirations and strengthen social mobility for learners of all backgrounds.

Rated Outstanding by Ofsted for 20 consecutive years - the only college in the country to achieve this - ELLG combines excellent teaching and learning, driven by evidence-based pedagogies and practice, with innovation and employer partnership to meet the evolving needs of learners, industry, and society. Our drive towards research and development in teaching and learning underpins our practice, supporting our colleges to achieve sector-leading outcomes in English and maths, exceptional A level progress, and high satisfaction in higher education through the National Student Survey. In doing so, we create opportunities that strengthen our region, support employers, and open doors for every learner to achieve their potential.

The Benefits

Pay & Conditions

Rewards & Recognition

Facilities & Working Environment

Professional Development

Health & Wellbeing

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

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