Do you enjoy cooking, without the pressure of a restaurant environment? Use your previous experience help us work towards our charity’s mission.
- This is a permanent full-time contract
- Achieve a great work/life balance with no late shifts! Our finish time is normally 7.30pm at the latest.
- We have accommodation available, so you could relocate to the Lake District!
- Starting salary circa £25,625 per annum
- Excellent benefits – including 28 days leave + bank holidays, life assurance, a health cash plan + much more (see the full list below)
Love where you work!
Established in 1943, our network of Learning Locations provides day and residential outdoor education courses for all ages. We aim to create outstanding opportunities for everyone to learn about nature.
We value each of our team members and understand that every role is vital to deliver our mission, so, we provide great benefits* to reward and support you while you work with us.
What you’ll be doing
As a Chef you’re a key part of our Hospitality and Catering team! You’ll be the supporting the Lead Cook and play an important role in delivering catering service to resident groups that visit us at our Field Studies Centre.
- You’ll do some hands-on cooking, kitchen management and deputising for the Lead Cook as needed, as well as assisting with the supervision of the catering team.
- This is an active role and you’ll need to be happy to be able to carry out all of the duties associated with kitchen work.
- We usually operate fixed mealtimes with one or two sittings, using set menus with two or three food choices.
- Split shifts are common with a breakfast shift typically 7-11am, and dinner shift from 3pm-7.30pm at the latest.
Please view the vacancy pack on our website for further details on the full responsibilities of this role.
Where you’ll be based
The Field Studies Council Blencathra centre is in a magnificent setting, with unrivalled views of the Lake District. Imagine taking in these surroundings on your lunchbreak!
We welcome over 9,000 visitors each year from schools, colleges, universities, and other organisations. Our visitors come from all over the UK, and for many it is their first trip to the Lake District World Heritage Site.
We have been awarded the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award which recognises organisations which go the extra mile to make sure visitors are receiving healthy, nutritious, and sustainable meals.
Who we’re looking for
You will have previous catering experience, a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate and the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, line managers and customers. In addition to:
- A great work ethic where aptitude and attitude are key
- A natural pride in the work you produce
- A flexible and adaptive approach able to perform using your own initiative both independently and as a team player
- A professional manner in all that you do
- An empathy with the aims and objectives of Field Studies Council
- A committed and proactive approach to personal development; motivated to learn new skills and overcome new challenges
Does this sound like the new opportunity you have been looking for? Come and be part of the team! We look forward to your application.
* Your benefits whilst working with us will include:
- Financial - We offer competitive salaries, sick pay, pension schemes, life assurance, 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a further 2 extra loyalty days dependent on length of service.
- Health and Wellbeing - Eligible employees are automatically provided with a Health Cash Plan which you can use to help pay for routine health appointments as well as give you the ability to seek second opinions from top doctors! We also provide our team members with access to a 24hr Counselling Helpline Service.
- Discounts – When you join the team you are also enrolled into our reward programme which gives you discounts on your favourite brands and opportunities to earn cash back on everyday purchases!
- Additional benefits - We endeavour to offer flexible working options where roles permit and are committed to providing our employees with appropriate quality learning and development opportunities.
If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please call Jason Goldsworthy (Lead Cook) on 07966047966
Applications will be considered on arrival
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.
Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council Blencathra on a rolling basis.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to
Disability Confident.
