Chef
| Posting date: | 13 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £28,509 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 January 2026 |
| Location: | Hughenden Manor, Hughenden Park, High Wycombe, HP14 4LA |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | National Trust |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | IRC169394 |
Summary
**Important notice**
In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.
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 a Chef 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.
What it's like to work here
To find out more about what it’s like to work in a food and beverage team for the National Trust,
Alongside the Assistant Manager, you'll be leading your team. You'll be assisting your Manager to make sure we're commercially successful by analysing and identifying opportunities, stretching targets, and consistently delivering exceptional service. You'll have delegated responsibilities to your direct line team for scheduling, training, development embedding Food & beverage Standards and Values of the Trust.
You'll lead the preparation & presentation of high quality hot & cold food whilst adhering to policy and our cookbook ensuring controls are in place to remain profitable & sustainable.
Here at Hughenden we value people. You’ll welcome and look after everyone who comes to the café. With your love of working with people, your ‘can-do’ attitude and your desire to provide an outstanding service, you’ll be making sure everyone has an enjoyable time. This is a lively business that’s constantly on the go, so teamwork and adaptability are crucial
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 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 or cook, with a passion for food and a friendly and positive attitude.
• Confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learn.
• Aware of health and safety compliance.
• Happy working within a team, and good at communicating with people.
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)
• 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
In line with our redeployment policy, we’ll prioritise applications from employees who are under formal notice of redundancy.
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 a Chef 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.
What it's like to work here
To find out more about what it’s like to work in a food and beverage team for the National Trust,
Alongside the Assistant Manager, you'll be leading your team. You'll be assisting your Manager to make sure we're commercially successful by analysing and identifying opportunities, stretching targets, and consistently delivering exceptional service. You'll have delegated responsibilities to your direct line team for scheduling, training, development embedding Food & beverage Standards and Values of the Trust.
You'll lead the preparation & presentation of high quality hot & cold food whilst adhering to policy and our cookbook ensuring controls are in place to remain profitable & sustainable.
Here at Hughenden we value people. You’ll welcome and look after everyone who comes to the café. With your love of working with people, your ‘can-do’ attitude and your desire to provide an outstanding service, you’ll be making sure everyone has an enjoyable time. This is a lively business that’s constantly on the go, so teamwork and adaptability are crucial
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 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 or cook, with a passion for food and a friendly and positive attitude.
• Confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learn.
• Aware of health and safety compliance.
• Happy working within a team, and good at communicating with people.
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)
• 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