Lead Cook

Lead Cook

Full-Time 1775 € / month No home office possible
Robinwood Activity Centres

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a small team to create delicious meals for children on school trips.
  • Company: Join an award-winning, employee-owned residential provider with over 30 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy regular daytime shifts, free meals, and 12 weeks of holiday a year!
  • Other info: No late nights or weekend work; beautiful countryside setting.
  • Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's experiences while working in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in a busy kitchen and a love for cooking are essential.
Lead Cook Barhaugh Hall, near Alston, Cumbria Start date: ASAP 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: • £24,726 per year (£15.85 per hour, based on a 30 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 • Beautiful countryside working environment Your working pattern: • Full-time contract - 30 hours per week (average 38 hours worked) • 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: 7am – 2pm 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 Ready to apply? If you’re looking for a rewarding role where you can cook great food, enjoy a balanced lifestyle, and make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you

Lead Cook employer: Robinwood Activity Centres

Join the Robinwood Activity Centre team as a Lead Cook and enjoy a supportive, friendly work environment where your culinary skills will make a meaningful impact on children's experiences during their school trips. With regular daytime shifts, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for training and development, you'll thrive in a beautiful countryside setting while contributing to our mission of fostering growth through adventure. As an employee-owned company and a Living Wage Employer, we prioritise the well-being of our staff, ensuring you feel valued and motivated every day.

Robinwood Activity Centres

Contact Detail:

Robinwood Activity Centres Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Cook

Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children and dietary requirements. Understanding how to cater for various dietary restrictions will show your commitment to providing excellent service and can set you apart from other candidates.

Tip Number 2

Highlight your leadership skills by sharing examples of how you've motivated a team in previous roles. This is crucial for the Lead Cook position, as you'll be expected to lead and inspire your kitchen team.

Tip Number 3

Research the Robinwood Activity Centre and its mission. Being able to articulate how your cooking aligns with their goal of enhancing children's experiences will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience in maintaining food hygiene and safety standards. Be ready to share specific practices you follow to ensure a clean and safe kitchen environment, as this is a key responsibility of the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Cook

Leadership Skills
Team Management
Food Preparation Skills
Customer Service Skills
Food Hygiene Knowledge
Kitchen Safety Awareness
Menu Planning

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in a busy kitchen environment, especially any leadership roles. Emphasise your passion for cooking and teamwork, as these are key qualities the company is looking for.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role of Lead Cook and how you can contribute to creating delicious meals for children. Mention your understanding of food hygiene and safety, and your proactive attitude towards customer service.

Showcase Relevant Qualifications:If you have a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, be sure to mention it. If not, express your willingness to obtain one. This shows your commitment to maintaining high standards in the kitchen.

Highlight Teamwork and Leadership Skills:Provide examples of how you've successfully led a team or worked collaboratively in a kitchen setting. This will demonstrate your ability to motivate others and ensure smooth kitchen operations, which is crucial for this role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Robinwood Activity Centres

Show Your Passion for Cooking

Make sure to express your genuine love for cooking during the interview. Share specific examples of dishes you enjoy preparing and how you can create delicious, hearty meals that cater to children and adults alike.

Demonstrate Leadership Skills

As a Lead Cook, you'll be expected to motivate and lead a small team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences in a busy kitchen environment and how you successfully managed a team to deliver high-quality meals.

Highlight Food Hygiene Knowledge

Understanding food hygiene and safety is crucial for this role. Be ready to talk about your knowledge of food safety standards and any relevant certifications, such as the Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate, or your willingness to obtain one.

Emphasise Customer Interaction

Since you'll be positively interacting with customers, it's important to showcase your customer-focused attitude. Share examples of how you've provided excellent service in the past and how you plan to ensure a great dining experience for the children and teachers.