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- Tasks: Prepare healthy meals and snacks for children in nurseries, ensuring high hygiene standards.
- Company: Join Blue Arrow, a leading recruitment agency dedicated to connecting talented chefs with nurseries.
- Benefits: Enjoy holiday pay, weekly pay, flexible shifts, and a company pension scheme.
- Why this job: Perfect for those seeking a work-life balance with daytime shifts and the chance to make a difference.
- Qualifications: Previous chef experience in a child-focused environment and an enhanced DBS check are required.
- Other info: Flexible locations across Staffordshire; apply today and start working within a week!
The predicted salary is between 22000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Congleton - We also cover all locations around Staffordshire, Stoke on Trent, Newcastle Under Lyme and surrounding areas.
Contract type: full time ongoing Monday to Friday 8am till 4pm - weekends off
Hourly rate £17 per hour
Temporary - both full time and part time chefs and cooks to support.
At Blue Arrow we are always on the lookout for talented chefs & cooks who want to improve their culinary skills and knowledge. Whether you're eager to learn a new role or environment, we want to hear from you.
We are supplying several nurseries in and around Staffordshire, within the following locations:
- Congleton
- Leek
- Stoke on Trent
- Newcastle under Lyme
- Stafford
- Crewe
- Market Drayton
- And surrounding areas
You will be working mainly within nurseries and especially with the schools coming to an end for their summer term, we will be looking to offer work within nurseries and care homes to provide consistent work.
To be able to work within this environment you must have enhanced DBS covering adult, child, dated within the last 12 months or on the update service. If you don't have this we do have the facilities to process one for you at a cost.
Why Apply?
- Holiday pay
- Weekly pay
- Daytime shifts Monday to Friday
- Dedicated consultant
- Flexibility in your working environment
- Flexibility in your working days and time
- Your very own App and portal to accept shifts on the go, and submit timesheets
- Company pension scheme
- Even though a lot of your roles will be on a temporary basis, these can quite easily lead to permanent work for the right candidates.
Working Hours:
All of our nurseries offer Monday to Friday day shifts anything from 7/8am starts till 2/3pm, perfect for people looking for a new work-life balance. We can also add on extra shifts on the weekend to boost any hours or pay.
Your new role as a nursery chef will involve:
- Preparing healthy, nutritious snacks and meals for all children including babies by following menus on site
- You will be required to cook and prepare for lunch service, snack & teatime service
- Take responsibility for catered dietary requirements and ensure communicated to team members.
- Ensuring high levels of standards within hygiene & cleanliness on site the nurseries
- Adhere to all health and safety on site, and ensure all internal and external requirements are met, with all relevant temperature paperwork completed.
- Assist with other areas of the kitchen including pot washing - this is mainly within our smaller sites, due to lower volumes.
- Ability to work with children, in preparing fun snacks and baking sessions.
Requirements and skills:
- Previous experience as a chef/cook level within the last 2 years, within a DBS controlled environment or children environment.
- Flexibility in shift patterns including weekends if needed; all our nurseries don't require weekends.
- Experience within education sector, cooking for either small & large schools both primary secondary and nurseries.
- Great communication and teamwork skills
- Level 2 food hygiene certificate (ideal but not essential as training is provided)
- Level 2 Health and Safety Certificate (ideal but not essential as training is provided)
- Ability to work under pressure
- Due to certain locations a full UK driving license is required along with own access to a vehicle
- An in date Enhanced DBS DATED WITHIN THE LAST 12 MONTHS ideally on the new updated service programme. (we do have the facilities to put you through one at a cost)
The Commute:
As we cover a large number of locations across Stafford and Staffordshire your commute will vary. If you have a car and are flexible with locations, great. If you're limited to public transport, we'll only send you to places that have public transport links and provide you with all the information you will need to get there. The more flexible you are the more we can offer you.
So if you think this is just what you're looking for then CLICK APPLY TODAY, our registration process can take less than 7 minutes, perfect for people with busy lives. We can offer work immediately for this position.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
Nursery Chefs employer: Blue Arrow
Contact Detail:
Blue Arrow Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chefs
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific dietary requirements and nutritional guidelines for children. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to providing healthy meals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with other chefs or professionals in the childcare sector. Join local culinary groups or forums where you can share experiences and learn about job openings, which could lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss your experience working under pressure, especially in a kitchen environment. Think of specific examples where you successfully managed busy periods or special dietary requests.
✨Tip Number 4
If you don’t have an Enhanced DBS check, consider starting the process as soon as possible. Having this ready will make you a more attractive candidate and show your eagerness to start working.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chefs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in cooking, especially in environments with children. Include any specific roles you've had in nurseries or schools, and emphasise your ability to prepare healthy meals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for cooking and working with children. Mention your flexibility with shifts and your commitment to maintaining high hygiene standards, as these are crucial for the role.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have a Level 2 food hygiene certificate or health and safety training, make sure to mention these qualifications. If not, express your willingness to undergo training, as this shows your eagerness to learn.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated and worked as part of a team in previous roles. This is important for collaborating with other staff in a nursery setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Arrow
✨Show Your Passion for Cooking
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for cooking, especially in a nursery environment. Share any experiences you have had preparing meals for children and how you ensure they are healthy and nutritious.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Discuss your previous roles as a chef or cook, particularly in settings that involve children or educational institutions. Be prepared to talk about specific dishes you've prepared and how you catered to dietary requirements.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since you'll be working closely with other staff members, emphasise your ability to work as part of a team. Share examples of how you've collaborated with others in the kitchen to create a positive working environment.
✨Prepare for Health and Safety Questions
Be ready to discuss your knowledge of health and safety regulations in a kitchen setting. Familiarise yourself with food hygiene standards and be prepared to explain how you maintain cleanliness and safety in your cooking practices.
