Monastery Cook - Quarr Abbey

Job Posted: 30 April 2026

• Contract Term: Permanent
• Location: Ryde, Isle of Wight
• Contract Type: Part time
• Salary: £21,013
• Industries: Chefs

Quarr Abbey is looking for an experienced Cook to join the Team, cooking for the Monastic Community and Guests staying in the Guest House.

Cook – Quarr Abbey

Join our dedicated team in a pivotal Hospitality  role

Quarr Abbey is seeking an experienced cook to become part of our team with a love of home cooking. Providing nutritious  home cooked meals for the Monastic Community and Guests staying in the Guest House. As part of the role, you will be responsible for menu planning, ordering food and managing the budget for the monastery kitchen.

The highest level of food hygiene and compliance with all legislation relating to food hygiene, allergens and health and safety is essential to this role

Location: Quarr Abbey (Monastery Kitchen)

Hours: 30 hours over Monday – Friday – no spilt shifts

Salary:  Annual £21,013 (30 hours)

Benefits: 28 days holiday pay pro rata (with increases based on length of service), staff discounts in our Tea and Farm shop, and access to a staff car park. Lunches provided while at work.

Nest Pension

Role Responsibilities:

·       Plan and produce healthy lunch and super meals for the Abbey Community and Guests using fresh, locally sourced produced (where possible) ensuring waste is minimal

·       Effectively manage allocated budgets, including purchasing food, equipment and cleaning materials

·       Ensure compliance with all food hygiene, health and safety legislation and procedures including fire safety, risk assessments, reporting, training and maintain appropriate records.

·       Ensure there are systems in place for effective cleaning throughout all kitchen areas

·       Liaise with the Monastic Caterer (as appointed by the Abbot) to ensure meals follow the rhythm of the monastic culinary year, with its times of feasting, fasting times of abstinence from meat. Take account of dietary requirements of particular monks and prepare social meals for special occasions, as indicated by the Monastic Caterer.

·       Supervise and staff and volunteers working in the monastery kitchen area.

Candidate Requirements

Qualifications and Professional Experience

Qualification: Applicants must hold Level 3 Food Safety Certificate

Experience and Skills

A comprehensive experience of planning menus, and  working in a medium sized kitchen. A sound knowledge of diet and nutrition.

Excellent cooking skills with an ability to manage budgets and work to strict deadlines to fit with monastic timings.

Good communication skills and ability to work as part of a wider team

Personal Attributes and Application

If you have a love of providing healthy home good food. Enjoy running a kitchen to the highest standards of organisation and cleanliness , and you are keen to make a positive contribution to a thriving community, we encourage you to apply. Joining Quarr Abbey provides an opportunity to play a significant role in providing hospitality to the abbey guests.

Values and Ethos

All staff members are expected to conduct themselves in alignment with the values and ethos of the monastic community at Quarr Abbey. Upholding these principles ensures a harmonious working environment and supports the Abbey’s mission.

Application Process

To apply for this position, please submit your CV along with a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role.

Applications should be sent to Tracy Osborn at [email protected].