Live Catering jobs

Our client is seeking a live‑in Cook / Housekeeper to join a well‑established household team on a large working rural estate near Cheltenham. This is a hands‑on role requiring family style cooking, assistance with housekeeping, pet care (dogs), and confidence in supporting estate and shoot days. The role works closely with other estate staff to ensure the smooth, discreet and professional running of the household and estate. This is a really lovely opportunity to work on a beautiful Estate for a lovely employer who keeps their staff for 20+ years.

This role would be best suited to a passionate family style cook who is looking to gain experience in a private household and help in all other areas of the house, including housekeeping and dog care and all round ad hoc errands. The candidate must be able to be guided by the other staff member and be open and willing to fit into the already existing team to ensure the household runs smoothly and the clients are happy. The clients have a full time Monday to Friday housekeeper, and a full time Butler/House manager who you will work alongside/with so good team work and a flexible attitude is essential.

Typical working week: Friday to Tuesday inclusive, with Wednesday and Thursday as days off (flexibility required during busy periods). Hours may vary, but approx 8-6 when just the Principals in residence, hours may differ during busy event periods. Flexibility and commitment to the family is important.

Accommodation - Comfortable live‑in accommodation is provided on the estate in a one bedroom self contained flat with own bedroom, bathroom and kitchen/sitting area - all bills covered by the Estate. Suitable for a single person with no pets or children/partner.

Key Responsibilities:-

Cooking

• Prepare daily meals to a high standard (formal and informal) using fresh, seasonal produce

• Menu planning in consultation with the principals and household manager

• Catering for family members, guests and increased numbers during busy periods

• Assist with catering and service on shoot days and estate events as required

• Maintain excellent kitchen hygiene, food safety standards and equipment care

• Manage food stocks, rural sourcing, deliveries and agreed kitchen budgets

A passion for using local, seasonal and garden produce is preferable

• please note the family will bring in an external Chef for very busy/important dinners and shoots so it is mainly family style cooking required.

Housekeeping - full training will be given so no previous experience needed, just the willingness to learn and work to the household standards

• Alongside other staff members, you will need to help to maintain the main house and relevant staff areas to an exceptional standard at all times, alongside the full time housekeeper/house manager (the housekeeper works monday to friday so more housekeeping is required on her days off at the weekends)

• Full cleaning duties with other staff members across bedrooms, bathrooms, reception rooms, offices and kitchens

• Care for fine furnishings, antiques, artwork, rugs, silverware, crystal and household linens with other staff members

• Laundry management including washing, ironing, pressing, wardrobe care and linen with other staff members

• Overall presentation of the property is maintained to a high standard

Pet Care

• Daily care of estate pets including feeding, walking, exercising and wellbeing

• Confidently handling dogs across estate grounds and during busy periods

• Organising and attending veterinary appointments from time to time

• Ensuring pets are safely managed alongside staff, visitors, contractors and shoot activity

General Estate & Shoot Day Duties

• Work closely with the house manager/butler, gardeners, gamekeepers and other estate staff

• Provide practical support during shoot days, estate events and high‑occupancy periods

• Liaise with contractors and service providers for household and estate maintenance

• Run errands and undertake off‑site trips due to rural location

Driving (Essential)

• A full, clean UK driving licence is required

• Confident driver able to run errands, attend appointments and manage rural logistics independently

There is a work vehicle for all work duties, but the candidate will need their own vehicle to travel on their days off/personal time.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a similar live‑in role on a rural or working estate is preferred, but not essential - the other staff are happy to give guidance but a good positive attitude and quick learning is required

• Confident, capable and passionate cook with strong domestic and family‑style cooking skills

• Demonstrable pet‑care experience is essential

• Organised with excellent attention to detail

• Discreet, trustworthy and professional at all times

• Comfortable working as part of a wider household and estate team

• Understanding of rural estate life, etiquette and service standards

Personal Attributes

• Proactive, calm and adaptable

• Physically fit and happy with hands‑on rural work

• Well‑presented with a flexible, can‑do attitude

This job description is not exhaustive and may be adapted to meet the evolving needs of the household and working estate.

Pay: £30,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person