Job Description

Closing date

21 January 2026

Location

Ullswater or Ullswater & Howtown

Contract type

37.5 hours a week. Fixed term 6 month.

Salary

25,935 + benefits

Categories:

Centre based

+

Hospitality

Cook

ABOUT THE ROLE

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Do you have a passion for preparing high-quality, nutritious meals and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic residential environment? At our residential outdoor centres, catering plays a vital role in supporting young people's experiences -- from providing energy for full days of outdoor activities to offering comfort and connection at the end of the day.


We are seeking a dedicated

Cook

who takes pride in delivering consistently good food and contributing positively to a professional, supportive team. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference by supporting young people as they develop confidence, skills, and independence. If you are looking for a varied and rewarding position within a positive working environment, we welcome your application.


This job is much more than just cooking. You'll be part of something really worthwhile. Your food will give young people the energy to get to the top of a mountain, row across the lake, and climb up a waterfall. Without you, they simply won't have the physical energy to power through their week.


This role offers an excellent work-life balance:

no late nights, no split shifts, no Christmas or New Year work, and most weekends free.

What you'll be doing

Working as part of a team to prepare nutritious meals for residential groups, in a friendly, supportive environment. Ensuring all food is fresh, well-presented, and served on time, and assisting with counter meal service in the dining room. Maintaining high standards of food quality, safety, and hygiene at all times. Supporting menu planning and effective stock rotation. Helping to manage specific dietary requirements and allergies. Keeping the kitchen safe and clean by following food-hygiene procedures and safe working practices. Contributing to a welcoming and positive dining experience for all guests.

You're a great fit if you...

Have previous cook/chef experience Hold a food preparation and cooking qualification. Have a solid understanding of dietary requirements and allergy management. Can demonstrate experience working effectively in a kitchen team with minimal supervision. Have working knowledge of Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations, procedures, and best practices (e.g., COSHH, Risk Assessment, Manual Handling, Accident Reporting, HACCP). Have experience dealing with customers and can demonstrate excellent customer care, solving problems in a proactive, positive manner. Are a great team player with an adaptable approach and enjoy meeting the customers you prepare meals for. Are positive, energetic, and reliable, with good timekeeping and strong attention to detail. Maintain high personal hygiene and presentation standards. Have a friendly, 'can-do' attitude and the confidence to communicate well with people of all ages and backgrounds.

It's a bonus if you also...

Have an Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate or equivalent

Cook

What we offer

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work-life balance.

How we look after you

How we work together

We hold ourselves to high standards. We support one another, step up when it counts and always put young people first.

Read our Ways of Working

Working at Ullswater

Live in town or nearby, with crags and paddling routes on your doorstep. This is a place to pitch in, get outside and feel part of something bigger.

Discover life at Ullswater

How to apply

If this sounds like your kind of role, we'd love to hear from you.


Send your CV, and a short cover letter (no more than two pages) telling us why you'd be a great fit, to Grahame, Head of Hospitality at

grahame.devine@outwardbound.org.uk

by 17.00

on Wednesday, 21 January 2026

.


We may close this vacancy early if we receive applications from suitable candidates, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Apply by 17.00 on Wednesday, 21 January 2026.

Key dates

Interviews (in person at Ullswater):

w/c 26 January 2026

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds - your unique experience and perspective matter to us.


This role involves working closely with young people and requires a disclosure check. We'll handle that as part of the process.

Do you have a question about the role?

Contact Grahame, Head of Hospitality at

grahame.devine@outwardbound.org.uk

.

Nature doesn't discriminate. Neither do we.

We're committed to making our recruitment process as fair and inclusive as possible. That means actively working to remove unconscious bias and the influence of privilege from our processes.


We also know how powerful it can be for young people to see themselves in the people around them. That's why we encourage applications from individuals who reflect the diverse backgrounds and identities of the young people we work with. By building a team that young people can relate to, we can help more of them see what's possible.


We endeavour not to discriminate based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, being pregnant, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.