Cook

National Trust; Stafford; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Substantial pension

Free entry to NT places

Season ticket loan

EV car lease

Staff discounts

Holiday allowance

Flexible working

Employee assistance

Free parking

Job summary

The National Trust is hiring a Cook at Shugborough Estate, Milford, Stafford. You’ll join our kitchen team to prepare and present delicious, fresh meals for visitors, following our seasonal menu framework.

Expect induction on allergens and food safety, ongoing training, and the chance to grow within a supportive, values‑driven organisation that values work‑life balance and flexible working where possible.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Confident about following recipes and batch cooking.
• Aware of health and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and present dishes from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Follow recipes, measure ingredients, assist with deliveries, and keep the kitchen clean to health and safety standards.
• Induction and training in allergens and food safety; opportunity for further training.

Skills

Batch cooking

Following recipes

Health and safety awareness

Job description

Summary

We’re looking for a Cook to join us! The National Trust is renowned for its food and hospitality. We run 185 cafés 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: £25,837.50 per annum
• Contract Duration: Permanent
• Working Hours: You will work 1950 hours per year. This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year.
• Working Pattern: Your exact shift pattern is open for discussion, but your typical working hours will be 8:30am to 4:30pm/5:00pm, depending on the site’s opening times. Weekend working is expected on a rota basis. The site is open every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
• Interviews: From Monday 14th September
• Assessment: 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.

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 Shugborough Estate, Milford, Stafford, ST17 0XB

Documents: Cook - Career Level A2.pdf

Requirements: Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 06 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.