Job Description
Job description
Chef - Derby
Summary
Are you looking to step up your career in food and beverage? The National Trust is renowned for its food and hospitality. We run 185 cafes, tea-rooms, and restaurants all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we'd love you to join us.
We’re looking for a Chef to join us at Kedleston Hall. Because we are in a rural area, please think about how you’d be able to get here for work, before applying for the job.
Benefits: We want to help you look after the things that matter to you, such as saving for your future, getting a discount on your weekly shop, or encouraging you to find a work-life balance. Please read our package, below, to see what benefits we offer you.
Hours: 1+50 hours per year (full time). Working 5 out of 7 days per week, weekend working as well as school & Banks Holidays is required and will be split with the team.
This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year
Salary: £23,868 per year.
Duration: Permanent contract.
Interview date: Week commencing 2nd September 2026.
What it's like to work here
Reporting to the Head Chef, you'll be based at Kedleston Hall (near Quarndon, Derby, DE22 5JH), a Neo-classical show palace surrounded by 8000 acres of spectacular parkland. Welcoming over 215,000 visitors per year, it’s a green oasis and a cultural hub just four miles from Derby. As well as the hall and parkland, Kedleston has a shop, second-hand bookshop and the Great Kitchen restaurant.
To find out more about what it’s like to work in a food and beverage team for the National Trust, click here to watch our video.
What you'll be doing
Your main focus is the kitchen, a busy and creative hub. You’ll be working within the framework of our ‘National Trust Cookbook’ to prepare delicious food from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Your food will be served directly to visitors.
You’ll help to build a great place to work, which includes showing empathy and giving support to team members when needed. The aim is to foster a positive spirit where everyone is focussed on giving the best possible service to visitors.
By maintaining high standards of food hygiene and COSHH procedures, you’ll minimise risks to visitors, staff and contractors.
We’ll give you an induction that fits the job, and training in allergens and food safety, plus any mentoring needed to help you in your role. You can sign up for further professional training and development if you wish.
Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.
Who we're looking for
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
• Experienced as a professional chef or cook, with a passion for food and a friendly and positive attitude.
• Confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learn.
• Aware of health and safety compliance.
• Happy working within a team, and good at communicating with people.
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
Chef - Derby
Summary
Are you looking to step up your career in food and beverage? The National Trust is renowned for its food and hospitality. We run 185 cafes, tea-rooms, and restaurants all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we'd love you to join us.
We’re looking for a Chef to join us at Kedleston Hall. Because we are in a rural area, please think about how you’d be able to get here for work, before applying for the job.
Benefits: We want to help you look after the things that matter to you, such as saving for your future, getting a discount on your weekly shop, or encouraging you to find a work-life balance. Please read our package, below, to see what benefits we offer you.
Hours: 1+50 hours per year (full time). Working 5 out of 7 days per week, weekend working as well as school & Banks Holidays is required and will be split with the team.
This role is based on annualised hours, where the amount of hours you work each month may vary, however your salary will be paid in 12 equal instalments over the year
Salary: £23,868 per year.
Duration: Permanent contract.
Interview date: Week commencing 2nd September 2026.
What it's like to work here
Reporting to the Head Chef, you'll be based at Kedleston Hall (near Quarndon, Derby, DE22 5JH), a Neo-classical show palace surrounded by 8000 acres of spectacular parkland. Welcoming over 215,000 visitors per year, it’s a green oasis and a cultural hub just four miles from Derby. As well as the hall and parkland, Kedleston has a shop, second-hand bookshop and the Great Kitchen restaurant.
To find out more about what it’s like to work in a food and beverage team for the National Trust, click here to watch our video.
What you'll be doing
Your main focus is the kitchen, a busy and creative hub. You’ll be working within the framework of our ‘National Trust Cookbook’ to prepare delicious food from scratch using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Your food will be served directly to visitors.
You’ll help to build a great place to work, which includes showing empathy and giving support to team members when needed. The aim is to foster a positive spirit where everyone is focussed on giving the best possible service to visitors.
By maintaining high standards of food hygiene and COSHH procedures, you’ll minimise risks to visitors, staff and contractors.
We’ll give you an induction that fits the job, and training in allergens and food safety, plus any mentoring needed to help you in your role. You can sign up for further professional training and development if you wish.
Please also read the full role profile, attached to this advert.
Who we're looking for
We’d love to hear from you if you’re:
• Experienced as a professional chef or cook, with a passion for food and a friendly and positive attitude.
• Confident about following recipes and batch-cooking, and willing to learn.
• Aware of health and safety compliance.
• Happy working within a team, and good at communicating with people.
The package
The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Chef | Derby position is now open for candidates interested in the Cook / Chef Jobs sector. This role in Derbyshire offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Cook / Chef Jobs is a plus.