Cook

Do you have a passion for food? The National Trust is renowned for its food and hospitality. We run 185 cafes all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we'd love you to be a part of it.

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

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• 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.

Hours / working pattern

975 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. You will be required to work 4 days a week for 5 hours a day starting at 9am. This is to ensure we have fresh scones available every day for our visitors from opening time at 10am.

Salary

£12.75 per hour. We're currently undertaking our pay review process and it is likely that this salary will be increased from 1st April 2026.

Contract

Permanent

Role responsibilities

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.

Requirements

• Compliance.
• Eligibility to Work in the UK.

Additional information

Closing Date: 15 March 2026

In 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 or email us at

If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on or email us at 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.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment process 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.

National Trust place

Castle Drogo, Drewsteignton, Exeter, EX6 6PB