Overview
Cook – Stowe,Buckingham, United Kingdom
The National Trust’s commitment is “For everyone, for ever.” Bringing that promise to life starts with the people that work here. It means building teams with a diverse range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. It means creating an inclusive environment where everyone is able to thrive.
Our roles are open to all. However, we particularly welcome applications from people of colour and people of the global majority because they are underrepresented at the Trust.
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.
Salary: £15,502.50 pra rata (FTE £25,837.50 per annum)
Hours: You’ll be working 22.5 hours per week. Working days will differ, but shifts can fall on any day of the week including weekends.
While we aim to provide a consistent work pattern, flexibility is needed as schedules may change based on business needs. We’ll try to give as much notice as possible. The role includes weekends and Bank Holidays but does not require evening or split shifts. A cook’s shift is typically 8:30am to 4:15pm.
Salary: £13.25 per hour
Duration: Fixed term until 30-Sep-2027
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.
The cafe and kiosk at Stowe welcomes over 230,000 visitors each year, serving home-made cakes, bakes, brunch and hearty pies to families, cyclists, dog walkers and everyone in between.
We’re looking for a Cook to support the Head Chef in our friendly kitchen team. From helping run service, prepping salads or making scones by hand. It’s fast paced and hard work. No qualifications needed as full training will be given.
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 a Cook, your main focus will be back of house, supporting the Head Chef and his team in a range of tasks from prep to service. Your food will be served directly to visitors. You’ll help to welcome and look after everyone who comes to the cafe by helping to keep the quality and standard of our food high. This is a busy fast-paced environment, so teamwork and adaptability are crucial. At times, you may also be asked to help front of house by washing pots or running food.
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.
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.
Stowe, Stowe, Buckingham, MK18 5EQCook – A2.pdf Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK
Closing Date: 25th October 2026
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.uk
If 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.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
