At a Glance
- Tasks: Create fresh, nutritious meals for children and manage kitchen operations.
- Company: Join the friendly team at Coin Street Nursery, dedicated to healthy eating.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and health support.
- Other info: Permanent role with excellent training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through healthy cooking.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering for large groups and knowledge of dietary needs.
The predicted salary is between 33000 - 33000 £ per year.
Coin Street Nursery is seeking an experienced and passionate Head Chef to join our friendly and dedicated team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who takes pride in creating fresh, nutritious meals from scratch and is committed to promoting healthy eating for young children. While experience in a nursery or similar setting is desirable, it is not essential. We welcome candidates with strong catering experience in preparing meals at scale who share our values around nutrition and quality.
We operate a busy nursery, preparing meals for up to 80 children and staff daily. The successful candidate will be highly organised, able to manage their own workload, and committed to maintaining high standards across all areas of the kitchen. We are proud of our 5-star food hygiene rating and our excellent standards of cleanliness. Maintaining health and safety, food hygiene, and compliance will be central to your role. Working within a set budget, you will also be responsible for effective menu planning, stock control, and food purchasing, ensuring meals remain fresh, healthy, and varied.
You will play a key role in meeting the diverse dietary needs of our children. A strong understanding of allergies, intolerances, and special diets is essential to ensure every child receives safe, high-quality meals. You will be supported by a part-time kitchen assistant; however, you will retain overall responsibility for the kitchen, including end-of-day cleaning and organisation.
Key Responsibilities- Plan and prepare nutritious, balanced meals for children and staff
- Manage kitchen operations, including ordering, stock control, and budgeting
- Maintain high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness, and safety
- Cater for a range of dietary requirements, including allergies and cultural preferences
- Lead and organise daily kitchen activities effectively
- Significant experience preparing a wide range of meals in a non-domestic setting for large groups, ideally including young children
- Experience in menu planning, ordering, and stock management
- Strong knowledge of dietary requirements, food hygiene, and health & safety
- Good literacy, numeracy, and budget management skills
- The ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with colleagues and children
- A proactive approach to contributing to service development, including diverse and culturally inclusive menus
- 35 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) pro rata for part-time staff
- 8% contributory pension scheme (5% employer contribution, 3% employee contribution)
- Health and wellbeing support, including online mental health therapy sessions
- Free gym membership at Colombo, annual flu jabs
- Commitment to training and development
Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
Salary£33,000 per annum
Additional RequirementsSuccessful candidates will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.
Nursery Head Chef in London employer: Coin Street Community Builders
Coin Street Nursery is an exceptional employer that prioritises the health and wellbeing of both its staff and the children in its care. With a strong commitment to professional development, generous benefits including 35 days of annual leave and a contributory pension scheme, and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and creativity, this role offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a meaningful impact on young lives through nutritious meal preparation. Located in a vibrant community, you will enjoy a dynamic work environment where your culinary skills can shine while promoting healthy eating habits.
Contact Details:
Coin Street Community Builders Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Head Chef in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and nursery sectors. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you can, prepare a sample menu or even a dish that showcases your culinary talents. Bring it along to interviews to impress the hiring team at Coin Street Nursery.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to chat about your experience with dietary needs. Make sure you can discuss how you've catered for allergies and special diets in the past, as this is super important for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Head Chef in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Nutrition:When writing your application, let us know why you're passionate about creating healthy meals for children. Share any experiences or ideas you have about promoting nutritious eating habits, as this aligns with our values at Coin Street Nursery.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you haven't worked in a nursery before, we want to hear about your catering experience! Focus on your skills in preparing meals at scale and managing kitchen operations, as these are key to the role.
Be Organised and Clear:Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. We appreciate candidates who can communicate effectively, so use clear language and bullet points to highlight your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coin Street Community Builders
✨Know Your Nutrition
Brush up on your knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements, especially for children. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to various allergies and special diets, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your past catering experiences, particularly those involving large groups. Highlight any relevant achievements, like maintaining high hygiene standards or successful menu planning.
✨Demonstrate Organisation Skills
Since the role requires managing kitchen operations, be prepared to talk about how you organise your workload. Discuss your approach to stock control, budgeting, and ensuring meals are fresh and varied.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated with colleagues and contributed to a positive team environment, as this will resonate well with their values.
