At a Glance
- Tasks: Create fresh, nutritious meals for children and manage kitchen operations.
- Company: Join a friendly team at Coin Street Nursery in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, health support, and free gym membership.
- Other info: Permanent role with excellent training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through healthy eating.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale meal preparation 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
Qualifications
- A current Food Hygiene Certificate
- 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
Benefits
- 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
Contract Permanent, 37.5 hours per week
Salary £33,000 per annum
Application requirements Due to Safer Recruitment guidance, please note that additional documents, such as CVs, will not be considered. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.
Closing Date 21 June 2026
Head Chef (Nursery). Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
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 health support, and a vibrant work culture that values teamwork and creativity, this role offers a fulfilling opportunity to make a meaningful impact on young lives in the heart of London.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Chef (Nursery). Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the catering and nursery sectors. Let them know you're on the hunt for a Head Chef role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow Coin Street Nursery and similar organisations on social media. Engage with their posts and share your passion for healthy eating and cooking for kids. This can help you get noticed and show that you're genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to kitchen management, dietary needs, and food hygiene. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence and refine your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Coin Street Nursery. Don’t forget to highlight your experience with meal planning and managing dietary requirements!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Chef (Nursery). Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Nutrition:When writing your application, let us know how much you care about creating healthy meals for children. Share any experiences or ideas you have about promoting nutritious eating habits, as this is super important to us!
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 will really catch our eye.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:Since you'll be managing your own workload, make sure to mention your organisational skills in your application. Talk about how you keep things tidy and efficient in the kitchen, as we pride ourselves on cleanliness and high standards.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Coin Street Nursery!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Nutrition
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements, especially for young children. Be ready to discuss how you would cater to various allergies and special diets during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Even if you haven't worked in a nursery before, highlight your catering experience. Prepare examples of how you've managed kitchen operations, menu planning, and stock control in previous roles to demonstrate your capability.
✨Emphasise Organisation Skills
Since the role requires managing a busy kitchen, be prepared to talk about how you stay organised. Share specific strategies you use to keep everything running smoothly, from meal prep to end-of-day cleaning.
✨Passion for Healthy Eating
Express your enthusiasm for promoting healthy eating among children. Discuss any initiatives or ideas you have for creating nutritious meals that are also appealing to kids, showing that you align with the nursery's values.
