Head Chef / Lead Cook - live in available in Telford

Do you love creating healthy, delicious, and sustainable meals? Join us at Field Studies Council Millport, where your skills help fuel an organisation that inspires people to connect with nature.

Why you'll love working with us:

• Permanent full-time contract, average 37.5 hours per week
• No late-night shifts, our finish time is normally by 8pm!
• Fixed mealtimes and planned menus giving you predictable hours and structured shifts for a healthy work-life balance
• Salary equates to circa £15.49 per hour (increasing to £16.12 per hour from 1 April 2026)
• Excellent benefits including life assurance (5x salary), health & wellbeing support, 28 days holiday plus bank holidays and loyalty days.
• Accommodation available to help make your move to the island as smooth as possible.

What you'll be doing:

• As Head Chef, you'll lead our hospitality team to deliver memorable meals for up to 150 visitors.
• This role combines hands-on cooking with team management.
• You'll be creating nutritious, sustainable menus for diverse diets and allergens, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, and religious or cultural options.
• Typical day: Breakfast: 7-11am, Dinner: 3-8pm, Set menus with 2-3 options per meal.
• A mix of prep, cooking, and kitchen leadership.
• Leading a small team of 8-10 part-time staff to maintain high standards of hygiene and food safety.

We're proud to have achieved the Soil Association Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to healthy, sustainable meals. Your weekly hours will vary across the year, with more during busy periods and fewer in quieter weeks.

Where you'll be based:

Millport is a stunning coastal island where nature is your daily backdrop. Imagine working surrounded by sea and hills, with endless opportunities for adventure: coastal exploration, hill walking, snorkelling, rock climbing, kayaking, and wildlife spotting. Living and working in Millport isn't just a job; it's a chance to combine your culinary skills, love of nature, and sense of adventure every day. You'll be part of a close-knit community with a slower pace of life, yet still within reach of Glasgow.

Who we're looking for:

• Previous catering experience with some management exposure
• Catering qualification or relevant vocational experience
• Strong knowledge of food safety and compliance (HACCP/CookSafe)
• Pride in your work, a flexible approach, and a positive team spirit
• Passion for sustainability and nature

Your benefits whilst working with us will include:

• Competitive salary
• 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays
• Extra loyalty days dependent on length of service
• Health and Wellbeing Support App
• Second opinions from top doctors
• 24hr Counselling Helpline Service
• Cycle to work and EV schemes
• Reward programme with discounts and cashback opportunities
• Flexible working options where roles permit
• Quality learning and development opportunities

Ready to apply? If this sounds like the opportunity you've been looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, so apply early to avoid disappointment. We may close the role early if we have enough suitable applicants.

For questions about the role, call Elke Scheibler on 01475 531420. If you don't meet every requirement listed in the person specification, we would still encourage you to apply and tell us about the unique skills and experiences you can bring to the role. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and we expect all team members to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will only be confirmed following the successful completion of rigorous pre-employment checks, including appropriate PVG Scheme check with Disclosure Scotland.