Summary
Are you looking to develop your career in food and drink? Did you know that the National Trust, Europe's largest conservation charity, is also renowned for its food and hospitality? We run 185 cafes all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we'd love you to join us. We’re looking for a Head Chef 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: 37.5 hours per week Salary: £30,000 per annum Duration: Permanent Interview date: Week Commencing 11th May 2026
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,
What you'll be doing
As Head Chef, your main focus will be within the kitchen. But you’ll also work closely with the Food and Beverage management team to develop delicious menus using local produce, adapting to the seasons and working within the framework of our ‘National Trust Cookbook’.
You’ll look for new ways to increase income and meet financial targets through managing stock and waste. You’ll be preparing food from scratch using fresh seasonal ingredients. You’ll be confident in baking cakes, brownies and sausage rolls as well as making soups, stews and more.
You’ll support and manage the team, guided by the Trust’s values, empowering them to give the best possible service to visitors and helping to build a great place to work.
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 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:
1. experienced as a professional chef, with a passion for food and a friendly and positive attitude
2. confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learn
3. aware of health and safety compliance
4. happy leading a team, and able to set personal objectives and give feedback to help improve performance
5. aware of budgets such as increasing income and controlling costs
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