Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare and serve nutritious meals for around 80 children daily.
- Company: Join NYES, a fresh food organisation dedicated to healthy eating for kids.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, employee discounts, and a local government pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while working in a friendly team environment.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; training will be provided.
- Other info: Work term time only with flexible hours and equal monthly payments.
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community?
We are recruiting a Cook to join our friendly team at Spofforth C of E Primary school, Harrogate, North Yorkshire. You will be providing tasty, nutritious, home‑cooked meals made from locally sourced fresh produce. NYES is a ‘fresh food’ organisation encouraging children and young people to choose nutritious meals. We are proud to offer a wide choice of healthy options to our children encouraging them to eat well and fuelling their appetite for learning.
As a Cook you will be delivering an effective catering service operating to the highest standards of food safety. Your role will require you to prepare and cook for approximately 80 children a day, serve meals to pupils and staff as well as other kitchen management duties such as supervision of staff, ordering of food, stocktaking and administration, setting out and putting away dining furniture, washing up and cleaning the kitchen and dining areas.
As a valued member of our hard‑working team, you will be reliable, dependable and committed to providing healthy wholesome dishes, working typically 27.5 hours per week over 5 days – 8.45 am start with a 14.15 pm finish. This family‑friendly role will allow you to work around school holiday commitments. Full training will be provided.
You will work term‑time weeks only however you will receive equal monthly payments throughout the year. For this you will be paid £13.47 to £14.13 per hour in addition to annual holiday and Bank Holiday entitlement.
Benefits
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of great benefits to help you financially and make life a bit easier.
- A local government pension scheme with 18.1% employer contribution
- Salary sacrifice schemes
- Employee discount benefits including shopping, supermarkets, gym discounts and more!
- Travel loans
- Health Assured – confidential help and support for your wellbeing
Click on our Total Rewards Brochure below to see the full range of benefits.
Key Dates
Closing Date: 23/11/2025
Interview Date: TBC
Key Documents
Job Description
To apply please click the Apply Now link below.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Cook employer: North Yorkshire Council
Contact Detail:
North Yorkshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cook
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the principles of nutritious cooking and food safety standards. This knowledge will not only help you in the role but also impress during any informal discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for working with children by volunteering or engaging in community activities related to food education. This experience can set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to promoting healthy eating.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of NYES or similar organisations. They can provide valuable insights into the work culture and expectations, which can be beneficial when preparing for your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your kitchen management skills, such as staff supervision and stock management. Highlighting these experiences can showcase your ability to handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Cook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Cook position. Highlight key skills such as food safety, kitchen management, and the ability to prepare nutritious meals.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience in catering or cooking, especially in a school or community setting. Emphasise any experience with food safety standards and working with children.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and commitment to providing healthy meals. Mention your understanding of the importance of nutrition for children and how you can contribute to the school's mission.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have any culinary qualifications or certifications in food safety, make sure to include these in your application. This will demonstrate your professionalism and readiness for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at North Yorkshire Council
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for preparing nutritious meals. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your love for cooking and how it can positively impact children's health and learning.
✨Demonstrate Food Safety Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss food safety standards and practices. Highlight any relevant training or certifications you have, and be ready to explain how you would ensure a safe kitchen environment for both staff and children.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
Since you'll be working in a team, emphasise your ability to collaborate effectively with others. Share examples of past experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team, especially in a kitchen or catering setting.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your interest in the position and helps you understand more about the school's catering philosophy and expectations.