Casual Cook - Kilve
Date: 30 Apr 2026
Location: Taunton, GB, TA1 4DY
Company: Somerset Council
Closing Date: 15 May 2026
Salary: Grade 13, ranging from £13.47 to £14.58 per hour.
This role will be based at Kilve Court, Kilve Bridgwater, TA5 1EA.
Kilve is a residential outdoor education centre providing learning and development experiences for children and young people. The catering team plays a key role in creating a positive, safe and inclusive environment that supports residential stays and activities.
Role Summary
You will prepare and serve nutritious, high‑quality meals for children, young people, and visitors at the Kilve outdoor education centre. The role supports safe, inclusive and welcoming catering services within a busy residential setting, working flexibly to meet the needs of groups on site.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, cook and present meals that meet a wide range of dietary needs
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health and safety and allergen control
- Support menu planning, stock control and ordering to minimise waste
- Oversee day‑to‑day kitchen operations, cleaning and equipment care
- Provide a friendly and professional service to centre users
What We’re Looking For – Knowledge, Experience and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of food hygiene and food safety regulations and best practice
- Understanding of dietary requirements, including allergens, intolerances and special diets
- Awareness of nutrition and balanced meal planning for children and young people
- Experience working in a commercial or institutional kitchen
- Experience preparing meals for large groups, particularly children or young people
- Experience working to food safety and hygiene standards, including HACCP
- Ability to prepare and cook meals to a high standard under time constraints
- Strong organisational skills to manage kitchen operations and stock
- Good communication skills to work with staff, suppliers and centre users
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Desirable
- Knowledge of stock control and food ordering processes
- Familiarity with sustainability practices in catering, including reducing food waste
- Understanding of safeguarding principles when working with children and young people
- Experience managing or supporting junior kitchen staff
- Experience catering for a wide range of dietary needs
- Experience working in an educational or residential setting
- Ability to adapt menus and recipes to meet specific dietary requirements
Any Additional Information
- The role involves working a flexible rota, including early mornings, evenings, weekends and school holidays, in a physically active kitchen environment.
- This role plays a key role in promoting sustainability and reducing food waste.
- You will accrue entitlement to paid leave pro-rata to actual hours worked.
- Regretfully, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. We are only able to proceed with candidates who already have the right to work in the UK without the need for visa sponsorship
For an informal chat about the role, you can contact Luke Hoather, Senior Cetnre Manager, Kilve Court at luke.hoather@somerset.gov.uk
Please note that this advert may close prior to the stated closing date if a suitable appointment is made.
A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or on request.