Assistant Cook

Job description
Are you passionate about cooking and providing great experiences? We’re looking for an enthusiastic Assistant Cook to join our team at Field Studies Council Slapton.
• This is a part time position working an average 30 hours per week
• It’s a fixed term contract starting asap until end of June 2025 in the first instance
• Salary equates to circa £12.14 per hour (rising to circa £12.96 per hour from April 2025)
• Excellent benefits – including life assurance and a health cash plan, see the full list below.
• Achieve a great work/life balance with no late shifts! Say goodbye to late-night stress, our shifts end by 7:30 PM, giving you evenings to relax or explore.

Love where you work!

Established in 1943, our network of Learning Locations provides day and residential outdoor education courses for all ages. We aim to create outstanding opportunities for everyone to learn about nature.

We value each of our team members and understand that every role is vital to deliver our mission, so, we provide great benefits* to reward and support you while you work with us.

What You’ll Be Doing

As our Assistant Cook, you’re a key part of our Hospitality and Catering team! You’ll be the supporting the Lead Cook and play an important role in delivering our catering service to resident groups that visit us. Your tasks will include:
• Cooking preparing breakfasts, dinners, and home-baked treats
• Supporting kitchen management – from stock control to food safety
• Ensuring cleanliness hygiene in all food preparation areas
• Providing friendly service to guests and maintaining high standards

Keen to know more? to learn more about working in a kitchen at the Field Studies Council.

Please view the vacancy pack for further details on the full responsibilities of this role.

Where you’ll be based

Field Studies Council Slapton is located within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to Field Sites in Dartmoor National Park. We maintain two residential centres (Slapton Ley and Start Bay) in the coastal village of Slapton, as well as Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve.

Start Bay is very popular with primary schools and self-catering, providing exclusive use for groups of up to 40 visitors. Whereas Slapton Ley is very popular with larger GCSE, A Level and University groups and can accommodate up to 135 visitors.

We have been awarded the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award which recognises organisations which go the extra mile to make sure visitors are receiving healthy, nutritious, and sustainable meals.

Who We’re Looking For

Ideally, you will have some previous catering experience and the ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, line managers and customers. In addition to:
• A great work ethic where aptitude and attitude are key
• A natural pride in the work you produce
• A flexible and adaptive approach able to perform using your own initiative both independently and as a team player
• A professional manner in all that you do
• An empathy with the aims and objectives of Field Studies Council
• A committed and proactive approach to personal development; motivated to learn new skills and overcome new challenges

Experience, qualification, and soft skills, have you got everything required to succeed in this opportunity Find out below.

Does this sound like the new opportunity you have been looking for?

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. Come and be part of the team!

Your Benefits Whilst Working With Us Will Include
• Financial - We offer competitive salaries, sick pay, pension schemes, life assurance, pro rata of 28 days annual holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a further 2 extra loyalty days dependent on length of service.
• Health and Wellbeing - Eligible employees are automatically provided with a Health Cash Plan which you can use to help pay for routine health appointments as well as give you the ability to seek second opinions from top doctors! We also provide our team members with access to a 24hr Counselling Helpline Service.
• Discounts – When you join the team you are also enrolled into our reward programme which gives you discounts on your favourite brands and opportunities to earn cash back on everyday purchases!
• Additional benefits - We endeavour to offer flexible working options where roles permit and are committed to providing our employees with appropriate quality learning and development opportunities.

If you have any queries regarding this vacancy, please call Kate Payne on 01548 580466

Applications will be considered on arrival

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we’re in receipt of sufficient applications. Please apply early to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at Field Studies Council Slapton Ley on a rolling basis

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by email.

We want to create a world where everyone feels connected to the environment so they can enjoy the benefits it gives and make choices that help protect it.

As an Investors in People charity, we realise that to achieve our vision we need diverse teams of staff who have a wide range of skills, a real passion for the work of the charity and pride in their role within it. No matter what role you perform at the FSC, everyone can make a difference and every role is vital to delivering our mission and vision…if this inspires you, we would love to hear from you. Read more