At a Glance
- Tasks: Create delicious, nutritious meals for children while managing kitchen operations.
- Company: Join RAFAKidz, an award-winning nursery group dedicated to early years childcare.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive hourly rate, healthcare cashback, and generous leave.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly team with opportunities for career growth and fun events.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives through healthy eating and creativity.
- Qualifications: Must have Level 3 food hygiene qualification and a passion for cooking.
The predicted salary is between 13.8 - 13.8 £ per hour.
Location: United Kingdom
Contract Type: Any
Closing Date: November 14, 2026
Position: Part Time Nursery Chef
Level 3 Qualification Essential
Employer: RAFAKidz Nursery, RAF Honington, Bury St Edmunds IP31 1LJ
Working Hours: 15 hours per week
Hourly Rate: £13.80 per hour
Why you should consider a career with RAFAKidz:
- A multi award-winning nursery group and the largest provider of early years childcare to the RAF
- Enhanced childcare discount of 40% for permanent employees
- Healthcare cash back for you and your children to cover prescription, dental, and optician costs
- Free access to virtual GP Health and Stress Support plus gym discount
- Unlimited Refer a Friend bonus payments
- Generous leave with time off to relax and recharge over the Christmas period
- Group Associate Membership savings and discounts on household bills and more!
- Guaranteed transfer to another nursery (for spouses and families being reassigned)
- Preparing for promotion? We pay travel and overnight expenses to allow you to experience another of our fabulous settings
- First Stage Informal Telephone Interviews to get to know each other before arranging a visit
- Opportunities to attend gala evenings to celebrate nominations and wins
About us:
2025 was a phenomenal year for RAFAKidz! Our special awards include:
- Nursery Group of the Year
- Nursery World Medium Sized Nursery Group of the Year
- National NMT Nursery Awards Outdoor Learning Environment
With our friendly team and small room sizes, we offer exciting experiences every day. Located in a beautiful setting close to Bury St Edmunds and Thetford, our little RAFAKidz family is always busy with trips out, picnics, parties, and outdoor learning. For every child that comes through our doors, regardless of ability, background, or circumstances, we provide experiences that help them be confident and reach their full potential.
About you:
As our Chef, you will have lots of stamina, patience, creativity, and imagination, with an abundance of great ideas to enhance mealtimes. The key responsibilities include:
- Planning, preparing, and serving age-appropriate, nutritious, and well-balanced meals and snacks catering for children's individual dietary requirements and food allergies.
- Managing the ordering, control, storage, and rotation of kitchen stock.
- Ensuring hygiene and cleanliness within the kitchen is of the highest standard, in accordance with Environmental Health requirements and legislation.
- Holding a minimum Level 3 qualification in food hygiene.
- Having excellent knowledge of current legislations in Environmental Health and Food Standards Agency.
This post requires a satisfactory, enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check on appointment and every three years thereafter.
As part of our inclusive culture, we encourage applications across all cultural backgrounds, genders, and abilities.
Additional Information: Closing date: Friday 21st August. Interviews are ongoing, but we may close this job advert early.
Nursery Chef in Bury St Edmunds employer: Rafakidz Nursery
RAFAKidz Nursery is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With a supportive team environment, competitive pay, and a variety of benefits such as childcare discounts and healthcare cash back, employees can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the lives of children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Nursery Chef in Bury St Edmunds
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at Rafakidz Nursery and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Nursery Chef in Bury St Edmunds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at Rafakidz Nursery that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at Rafakidz Nursery.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at Rafakidz Nursery get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rafakidz Nursery
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at Rafakidz Nursery and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
