Assistant Head Chef

Summary

Are you looking to step up your career in food and beverage? The National Trust is renowned for its food and hospitality. We run 185 cafes, tea-rooms, and restaurants all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we'd love you to join us. 

We’re looking for an Assistant Head Chef to join us at Belton House (internally you'll be known as 'Chef'). 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 per week, working 5 out of 7 days, on average 8.30am - 4.30pm. Regular weekend working is required as well as bank holidays and school holidays.

During December you'll be required to work some evening shifts for the Christmas Lights event, finishing around 9pm.

Salary: £24,843 per year.

Duration: Permanent contract.

Interview dates: Week starting 15th April.

What it's like to work here

Reporting to the Head Chef, you'll be based at Belton House (Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2LS). Belton welcomes visitors to explore the ancient deer park, picnic in the pleasure grounds, or burn off energy in the National Trust's largest outdoor adventure playground. As well as the house, gardens and parkland, Belton also has a gift shop, bookshop, the Stables Café, a playground kiosk and seasonal ice-cream parlour. If you are enthusiastic and committed to making this popular property the best it can be, the team would love to hear from you.  

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.

What you'll be doing

Your main focus is the kitchen, a busy and creative hub. You’ll be working within the framework of our ‘National Trust Cookbook’ to prepare delicious food from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Your food will be served directly to visitors.

You'll support the Head Chef, managing a team of 5 kitchen staff when they are off.

You’ll help to build a great place to work, which includes showing empathy and giving support to team members when needed. The aim is to foster a positive spirit where everyone is focussed on giving the best possible service to visitors. 

By maintaining high standards of food hygiene and COSHH procedures, you’ll minimise risks to visitors, staff and contractors.

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. 

Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.

Who we're looking for 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 attitude. 
• Confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learn. 
• Experience with managing a team and good at communicating with people.
• Aware of health and safety compliance. 
• Experience in placing orders and stock management. 
• Good IT skills.

The package

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)
• Tax-free childcare scheme
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• 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
• Independent financial advice

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.