Cook in Maybole

Here at National Trust for Scotland’s beautiful Culzean Castle we are looking for energetic, cheerful, and hard-working individuals to join our amazing Food and Beverage team. We are looking for a Cook to join our talented kitchen team and help in the day-to-day operation of the Food & Beverage outlets at Culzean Castle. Core hours will be the minimum hours available, with the opportunity to work additional hours to suit the needs of the business. Must have full flexibility and weekend availability, hours will be issued on a weekly rota basis. Perfect for those seeking a better work / life balance as the restaurant operates between 10am and 5pm – no more late nights!

Responsibilities

• Preparing and cooking menu items to meet café standards.
• Managing portion sizes and food waste to control costs.
• Ensuring the kitchen is clean, organized, and adheres to hygiene regulations.
• Monitoring inventory levels to avoid shortages or excess stock.
• Ensuring food meets customer expectations for quality and consistency.
• Staying calm under pressure during busy service hours.
• Adhere to the Trust’s “Health & Safety Policy”, being mindful at all times of the health and safety of self, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Adhere to the Trust’s obligations to minimise impact on the environment, e.g., efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling and the disposal of waste.
• Adherence to the COSHH Training provided and control of substances covered by COSHH.
• Involvement in the upkeep and maintenance of both the entire department site and, specifically, the F&B outlets.

Qualifications, Skills, Experience & Knowledge

• Qualifications
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate Essential
• Highly developed organisational skills, deployable in a multi-tasking environment.
• Proficiency in cooking techniques and a deep understanding of ingredients.
• Ability to prepare a variety of dishes quickly and consistently.
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, especially during busy hours.
• Ability to work as part of a team and the ability to foster and motivate a team.
• The ability and willingness to learn and try new things, to be flexible and step outside of your comfort zone.
• Collaboration and effective communication with team members to ensure smooth service.
• Ensuring food presentation, portion sizes, and taste meet the café’s standards.
• Monitoring cleanliness and food safety in the kitchen.
• Adaptability to customer preferences or dietary restrictions.

• Desirable
• Demonstrable experience as a cook in preparing and producing food to a consistently high standard using fresh products and ingredients.
• An understanding and commitment to the aims and objectives of the National Trust for Scotland.
• Living the values of the National Trust for Scotland and encourage colleagues to do the same.
• The ability and willingness to understand others’ perspectives and to consider the impact of your actions on them and to adapt your actions as necessary.