At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare nutritious meals for children and support nursery kitchens across multiple locations.
- Company: Join Fennies, a family-run nursery group dedicated to children's health and happiness.
- Benefits: Earn up to £39,000, enjoy bonuses, and benefit from 20+ days of annual leave.
- Other info: Supportive culture with career development opportunities and a focus on teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through healthy, delicious food.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, knowledge of children's nutrition, and a Level 2 or 3 Food Hygiene Certificate.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 39000 £ per year.
Fennies Croydon
Salary: Up to £39,000 per year plus potential for bonuses
Monday-Friday, 8.00am - 5.00pm
At Fennies, we believe healthy, nutritious food plays an essential role in every child's development. As our Area Nursery Chef, you'll support multiple nursery kitchens, ensuring children receive freshly prepared, balanced meals every day while helping to develop and inspire our kitchen teams. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced chef who enjoys variety, thrives in a leadership role, and wants to make a genuine difference in children's lives.
Why join Fennies?
- Competitive Salary and Bonus
- Up to £39,000 annual Salary
- Performance-related Bonuses
- £500 Referral Bonus
Work-life balance
- Monday to Friday
- 20 days annual leave (increasing by 1 day for every year of service, up to 25 days) plus bank holidays
Wellbeing Benefits
- BUPA Wellbeing Support
- Summer BBQs, Christmas celebrations and company events
- Recognition and reward through the Fennies Club long Service Awards
Career Development
- Full Training
- Support and mentoring from Catering Manager
- Personalised development plans, mentoring and support
About the Role
As an Area Nursery Chef, you'll support kitchens across our nursery group by providing cover during annual leave, sickness and vacancies while helping to maintain exceptional food quality, hygiene and safety standards. You'll also play an important role in coaching and mentoring Nursery Chefs and Kitchen Assistants, sharing best practice and helping every kitchen deliver outstanding service.
You will:
- Prepare fresh, nutritious and balanced meals for children and staff
- Ensure all meals meet dietary, allergy and nutritional requirements
- Provide kitchen cover across multiple settings
- Train and support Nursery Chefs and Kitchen Assistants
- Carry out kitchen audits and promote excellent food hygiene and safety standards
- Support stock control, ordering and reducing food waste
- Work alongside the Food Development Chef to ensure menus are delivered consistently
- Build Positive Relationships with nursery teams and support continuous improvement across all kitchens
- Help maintain accurate food safety and compliance records
Every day is different. One day you could be supporting a busy nursery kitchen, the next mentoring a new chef or carrying out kitchen quality checks across another setting.
What we're looking for
You don't need previous nursery experience - we'll provide the training you need. If you're a passionate and organised chef who takes pride in creating high-quality meals and maintaining excellent kitchen standards. We're looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in catering, in a childcare setting would be ideal, but not essential
- Knowledgeable about children's nutrition and dietary requirements
- Qualified Level 2 or 3 Food Hygiene Certificate
- Trained in Allergen awareness
- Organised, reliable and able to manage busy kitchen environments
- A positive team player who enjoys working alongside others
- Most importantly, you care about the impact your food has on children's health and happiness.
Become part of the Fennies DNA
We’re family-owned and family-run; this guides our culture, our decision-making, and what it feels like to be part of our team. From our supportive culture to our high-quality environments, we’re committed to creating exceptional places to work and learn. Our People Promise inspires us to build the kind of culture that is ambitious, passionate and supportive. We provide the environment where you can:
- Be Yourself
- Come Together
- Be All In
- Go Further
If this sounds like you, or you just want to know more about what it means to be part of the Fennies family, make contact with us today for a chat.
Take your next steps with Fennies
Our friendly Talent Recruitment team are here to answer any questions you may have about Fennies – call us to discuss the role, or if you’re just curious about what it’s like to work at Fennies, let us know, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.
Diversity and Inclusion
At Fennies, we celebrate diversity and believe inclusive teams create stronger learning environments for children. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.
Safeguarding
Fennies is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and provide proof of identity. In line with Safer Recruitment guidance, online searches (including social media) may be conducted for shortlisted candidates.
Area Nursery Chef in Croydon employer: Fennies Day Nurseries
Fennies Day Nurseries in Taplow is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where your contributions directly impact the well-being of children. With benefits such as a £500 referral bonus, 20 days of annual leave, and dedicated wellbeing support, we prioritise employee satisfaction and growth, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about early childhood care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Nursery Chef in Croydon
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Fennies Day Nurseries. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Fennies Day Nurseries
Don't be shy about reaching out to Fennies Day Nurseries directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Area Nursery Chef in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Fennies Day Nurseries and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fennies Day Nurseries
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
