Cook

University of Reading - Campus Commerce

Location: Henley-on-Thames

Salary: £23,350 to £24,215 per annum

Hours: Part Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Part Time, Permanent

Closing date: 23:59 on 28 Sep 2025

We are looking for a Cook who shares our passion for great food to join us on our journey to create the best campus food experience. This post is an important and vital post within our team and will involve working with our Aspiring Chef team.

We produce fresh, nutritious and tasty dishes from scratch, with our menus changing daily and following seasonality across six kitchens.

We are committed to the 24 Principles of Menus of Change, guiding our thinking around nutrition and sustainability. We are the first European Member of the Menus of Change Universities Research Collaborative (MCURC). MCURC is a group of 70 like-minded Universities committed to using academic and operational research to improve the health of individuals and the planet.

Visit www.reading.ac.uk/menusofchange to find out more.

Team Structure: The University operates three teams of Chefs & Kitchen Porters, each reporting to a Head Chef covering our Hotel, Cafes, Bars, Event Catering and large Dining Halls. Staff regularly move between teams to ensure professional development.

You will have: The ability to follow all regulations & legislation including fire procedures, C.O.S.H.H. & accident procedures. Basic food safety knowledge. Good verbal communication skills. Ability to recognise and deal with problems as they arise. Ability to remain calm under pressure.

We welcome applications from both external and internal candidates. As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to professional development, this role can be considered on a seconded basis for existing staff members. Internal candidates should discuss this with their line manager prior to applying.

We do not consider applications from individuals who do not have the right to work in the UK for this position.

All applications must be made via the University website.

Please see the job description and personal specification for further details.

For more information, please contact: Contact Name: Karlene Gaskell, Contact Job Title: Executive Chef, Contact Email address: k.e.gaskell@reading.ac.uk. Alternative Name: Jason Barnwell, Alternative Contact Job Title: Head Chef, Alternative Contact Email address: j.a.barnwell@reading.ac.uk.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2). Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.