Lead Cook Job Alston England UK,Restaurant/Food Service

Barhaugh Hall, near Alston, Cumbria

Start date:

1st November 2026 – Fixed Term to 31st October 2027 (Potential to be extended)

Why Robinwood? Industry-leading Employer

Living Wage Foundation accredited Investors in People Gold Employee-owned business

Love cooking and want your work to make a real difference?

At Robinwood, you won’t just be preparing meals — you’ll be helping create memorable residential experiences for children. From hearty breakfasts to satisfying evening meals, your food will fuel adventure, confidence, and fun.

We are looking for a passionate and organised Lead Cook to join our friendly team at Barhaugh Hall

What you will be doing as a Lead Cook:

As part of a small, supportive catering team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality meals and keeping the kitchen running smoothly.

You will:

Support the Catering Manager in all kitchen operations
Lead and motivate the kitchen team during shifts
Prepare a variety of nutritious meals for children and adults
Ensure all dietary requirements are met
Maintain high standards of food hygiene and cleanliness
Provide a positive and welcoming service to guests

What you will get:

£26,375 (£15.85 per hour, based on a 32-hour per week contract)
Consistent monthly pay through an annualised hours contract
Pay reflective of experience and skills

Plus:

Monday to Friday shifts – no late nights or weekends
Free meals on shift
Profit-related tax-free bonus
12 weeks off per year (including August and Christmas)
Staff social events
Training and development opportunities
A fun, child-centred working environment

Your working pattern:

Full-time contract - 32 hours per week (average 38 hours worked over 5 days)
Fixed 4-week rotating timetable
Shifts between 6am and 8pm (latest finish), Fridays earlier

Example week:

Monday: 9am – 8pm
Tuesday: 7am – 8pm
Wednesday: 6am – 3pm
Thursday: 6am – 3pm
Friday: 6am – 3pm

Enjoy a strong work-life balance with predictable hours and no weekend work.

Training & Development

We support your growth with:

Food hygiene certification (Level 2 provided if needed)
Ongoing professional development
Opportunities to build leadership skills

What we are looking for

Experienced in a busy kitchen (with some leadership responsibility)
Passionate about cooking and teamwork
Knowledgeable about food hygiene and safety
Positive, proactive, and customer-focused

Internal and external applicants welcome.