SOMEONE with a ‘positive and passionate’ attitude to work who likes rural living is being sought to take on the role as lead cook at the field studies centre at Malham Tarn.

The successful applicant will be expected to feed hundreds of hungry schoolchildren and their teachers on residential trips to the former hunting lodge of the Victorian MP and philanthropist, Walter Morrison, who died in 1921.

Tarn House, on the banks of Malham Tarn, the highest marl lake in the UK, is owned by the National Trust and leased to the Field Studies Council. It is surrounded by a 360 acre nature reserve and when lived in by Walter Morrison was visited by the rich and famous, including Charles Kingsley, who was said to have been inspired by the tarn to write his book The Water Babies’ , as well as Charles Darwin and John Ruskin.

Now, Alex MacFie, group operations manager for the Field Studies Council, said the centre was preparing to welcome back schools for educational trips and it was looking for a head cook for the rest of the season until October.

“Following the Government’s recent decision to allow covid-secure school residential trips to resume from May 17, we are busy preparing all centres so that we can welcome visitors again after such a long period of closure.

“This means we have some exciting job opportunities available including the role of lead cook at our Malham Tarn centre.

“This is a unique and exciting position and whoever gets the role will have the very important task of feeding and fuelling hundreds of hungry school children and their teachers with hearty and healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners so they have plenty of energy for exploring, learning outside and getting muddy.”

Whoever gets the job will be responsible for the day to day operation of catering at the centre, as well as hands-on cooking and management of staff. It is a full time, seasonal role suitable for someone who enjoys spending time in a ‘rural setting’.

“We are looking forward to receiving applications for this role and of course getting back to what we do best – providing fun and engaging outdoor learning sessions for primary and secondary school children.”

Applications for the post close on June 6. To find out more visit: fieldstudiescouncil.current-vacancies.com