Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:ability to manage and motivate a team to improve performance experience with preparing and presenting high-quality food ability to monitor and control resources, including stock and staffing aware of health and safety compliance ability to lead a culture of exceptional service, using customer feedback to improve the visitor experience Additional criteria for all other applicants. We’d love to hear from you if you’re: experienced as a professional chef, with a passion for food and a friendly and positive attitudeconfident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learnaware of health and safety compliancehappy leading a team, and able to set personal objectives and give feedback to help improve performanceaware of budgets such as increasing income and controlling costsHead ChefIn this hands on leadership position at Fountains Abbey, you'll be overseeing the running of three busy outlets, the main kitchen at the visitor centre restaurant, which also serves as a production kitchen for 2 smaller outlets. You'll be an integral part of the day to day running of all aspects of the food operation, leading an established team of 5 as part of an experienced food & beverage management team.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.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 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.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 salaryFree entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)Rental deposit loan schemeSeason ticket loanEV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discountsHoliday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.Flexible working whenever possibleEmployee assistance programmeFree parking at most Trust places Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you. Closing Date: 08 February 2026 Important noticeIn line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from National Trust employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.ukIf you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.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. Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. 171234IRC171234RiponPermanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)Ends: Feb 8th 58 mi from ManchesterAre 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 a week, 5 days out of 7. No eveningsSalary: £30,000Duration: PermanentInterview date: TBCPotential start date: TBCFountains Abbey, Fountains, Ripon, HG4 3DYCompliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK30,000 pa