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- Tasks: Cook delicious meals for guests and manage kitchen operations in a vibrant hostel.
- Company: Join Hostelling Scotland, a non-profit charity dedicated to community and adventure.
- Benefits: Enjoy meal discounts, pension, holidays, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be an ambassador for Scotland while sharing your passion for food with travellers.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering for large groups and knowledge of food hygiene regulations.
- Other info: Opportunity to explore Scotland and develop skills in a dynamic team.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Position: Cook
Location: Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel, 9 Haddington Place, Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH7 4AL
Contract & Start Date: Permanent – Proposed start date: 06/Apr/26
Hours per week: 24
Salary: £Competitive
Accommodation: This is a live-out position
About the role: Join our team, with an adventurous spirit, to help our guests discover and experience the real Scotland through hostelling with us whilst you can also enjoy exploring cities, hillwalking, climbing and many other outdoor activities and amazing surroundings in your spare time. As a non-profit charity with people and communities at our heart, we also give people, who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity, the chance of a well needed break to explore and experience Scotland or to develop their skills for life, learning and work through our youth programmes. Working with Hostelling Scotland is more than just a job. Join our team to become an Ambassador for Scotland and make a difference! You will be part of our dedicated and friendly team at our Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel.
Key Responsibilities:
- Cooking daily food for breakfast buffet and evening meals, catering for groups from 10 up to 120, dining room capacity up to 65 people, including café style lunch ensuring high quality whilst achieving budgetary requirements taking into consideration allergens and special dietary advice.
- Familiarising yourself with ordering systems and suppliers to ensure stock levels are sufficient to deal with demand whilst managing and monitoring stock controls for the catering operation.
- Ensuring effective communication with all members of the team; facilitating smooth and thorough handovers between shifts, and complying with Hostelling Scotland’s Policies and Procedures whether communicated verbally in writing or by electronic means.
- Maintaining the standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the main catering kitchen and back of the house in accordance with the hostel’s HACCP house rules, and cleaning schedules.
- Ensuring that all processes are undertaken in a manner that ensures compliance with Cooksafe procedures as well as Hostelling Scotland house rules.
- Working with the Group, Hostel Managers and catering team, sharing responsibility for all aspects of food and beverage delivery including Food Hygiene, Cooksafe protocol and providing relevant F&B/catering training to team members whilst keeping abreast with and adopting the most updated food safety and food hygiene best practice.
- With the guidance of the Hostel Manager ensuring that guest feedback and complaints from all sources are handled and resolved in a timely and professional manner and in conjunction with other members of the management team.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Previous experience catering for large groups, pastry chef experience, working in busy contract catering environment.
- Excellent knowledge of food hygiene, HACCP and COSHH regulations and a relevant catering qualification including Elementary Food Hygiene certificate, SVQ/NVQ in catering, food production.
- Ability to multitask and work under pressure whilst remaining calm.
- Vast knowledge of food styles.
- Excellent time management skills.
Benefits:
- Membership of Hostelling Scotland
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Pension and holidays
- Meal discounts on shift
- Uniform is provided
Additional Information:
A successful candidate is required to provide one satisfactory reference and a recent Basic Disclosure clearance. You must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK prior to starting with us.
Who we are:
Hostelling Scotland is a not-for-profit charity with over 60 youth and affiliate hostels. Since 1931, we have welcomed millions of visitors through our doors, helping them to ‘get outside’, to explore what Scotland got to offer, discovering the beautiful locations and the natural benefits of the great outdoors.
How to apply:
If you would like to join us, please visit our website www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/careers to learn about how we process job applicants’ information and apply.
Application Details:
Closing Date: 31st March 2026. Interview Date: TBC. Please note: We do have the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Cook - Edinburgh Central YH in Brighton employer: Hostelling Scotland
Contact Detail:
Hostelling Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook - Edinburgh Central YH in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Hostelling Scotland. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience as a cook aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Since you'll be catering for large groups, it’s a good idea to brush up on your techniques. Maybe try cooking for friends or family to simulate the pressure of serving multiple people at once. This will not only boost your confidence but also give you some great stories to share during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss food hygiene! Given the importance of HACCP and food safety in this role, make sure you can talk about your knowledge and experience in these areas. Prepare examples of how you've maintained high standards in previous roles, as this will show you're the right fit for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. So, head over to www.hostellingscotland.org.uk/careers and get your application in before the deadline!
We think you need these skills to ace Cook - Edinburgh Central YH in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let us know why you love cooking and how it connects to your adventurous spirit. Share any experiences that highlight your passion for food and hospitality!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to detail your previous experience in catering, especially with large groups. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your culinary achievements!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your qualifications and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your information and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hostelling Scotland
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the menu and the types of dishes you’ll be preparing. Be ready to discuss your experience with catering for large groups and how you handle dietary restrictions. This shows that you’re not just a cook, but someone who understands the importance of food safety and guest satisfaction.
✨Show Your Passion for Scotland
Since this role is about helping guests discover Scotland, share your own experiences or favourite spots in the country. This will demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and align with the hostel's mission of being an ambassador for Scotland.
✨Master the Art of Communication
Effective communication is key in a busy kitchen. Prepare examples of how you've successfully worked as part of a team, especially during busy service times. Highlight your ability to facilitate smooth handovers and maintain a positive atmosphere.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect questions about food hygiene practices and how you ensure compliance with regulations like HACCP. Brush up on your knowledge of these protocols and be prepared to discuss how you implement them in your daily work.