Chef

Summary

The contract is full time and permanent, and the annual salary is £30,500. Your working time will be 37.50 hours each week. The employer, National Trust, is a charity. You will be based at Wimpole Estate, which is an estate, which could mean diversity in the role. Note some estates are far from public transport. It is located in Cambridgeshire.

Closing date 26-04-2026

Job Description

1 full time role OR 2 part time roles available£30,500 per annum (full time) Permanent | Beautiful location | No split shifts
We’re looking for a passionate Chef to join our Food & Beverage team at Wimpole – a place where fresh, seasonal food, warm hospitality and beautiful surroundings come together.
As part of one of the UK’s largest and most diverse food and beverage operations, you’ll help us create memorable experiences for everyone who visits.This role can be offered as one full time position or shared between two part time roles covering 22.5 hours per week. You’ll work alternate weekends, and you’ll benefit from a flexible rota day (s), between Monday to Friday to help support your work life balance.
We also operate a yearly rota, giving you the ability to plan ahead with confidence.
Because Wimpole is a rural location with, no direct, public transport links, please consider how you’ll travel to work before applying.
Salary: £30,500 per annum (TBC)Duration: Permanent• Full time is based on a 2 week rota with a long week of 6 days and a short week of 4 days to accommodate the alternate weekend shift pattern.• Part time working is based on a 2 week rota with one week working, one week day and then the weekend and the second week working three week day shifts totalling 22.5 hours pw.
Potential start date: Immediate/appropriate to any serving of notice requirements

Wimpole Estate is a truly special place – a mansion, walled garden, parkland, and a working Home Farm set in the Cambridgeshire countryside, with three Food & Beverage outlets offering a variety of seasonal menus. You’ll be part of a friendly, supportive team who take pride in serving great food in a remarkable setting.
Our kitchens follow the National Trust Cookbook, celebrating fresh, local, sustainably sourced produce – including ingredients grown right here on the estate. We don’t work split shifts, just consistent working patterns in a welcoming and collaborative environment.
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.

Your focus will be our busy, creative kitchen – preparing delicious dishes from scratch using seasonal ingredients and recipes that reflect the spirit of Wimpole.
You’ll cook fresh, high quality food using the National Trust Cookbook framework delivering food that helps make our visitors’ days memorable. And will receive a role specific induction, allergen and food safety training, plus access to further development opportunities.
You’ll help maintain excellent food hygiene, safety standards and COSHH procedures and support and encourage colleagues, contributing to a positive, inclusive team culture.
We offer a generous benefits package to help you look after the things that matter most – from saving for your future to enjoying everyday discounts and finding a healthy work life balance. You’ll also be part of a team who genuinely enjoy working together in a beautiful location, surrounded by nature, heritage and purpose.

We’d love to hear from you if you are;
• Experienced as a professional chef or cook, with a passion for fresh, seasonal food• Confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, with a willingness to learn• Aware of health & safety requirements and committed to high standards• A Team player, who is welcoming, and happy engaging with colleagues and visitors

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.

Disclaimer
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