At a Glance
- Tasks: Create fresh, nutritious meals for children and staff while managing kitchen operations.
- Company: Join a friendly nursery team dedicated to promoting healthy eating.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, a pension scheme, and health support.
- Other info: Permanent position with excellent training and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through healthy, delicious meals.
- Qualifications: Experience in large-scale meal preparation and knowledge of dietary needs required.
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
- 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
- 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
Application requirementsDue 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 Date21 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 well-being and development of its staff while fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With generous benefits such as 35 days of annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and health and wellbeing support, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in London, this role offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children through nutritious meal preparation, all within a vibrant and community-focused setting.
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
Get to know the nursery's values and mission. When you walk in for your interview, show us that you understand what Coin Street Nursery stands for. Share your passion for healthy eating and how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Bring your A-game when it comes to showcasing your culinary skills. If you have the chance, prepare a sample menu or even a dish that highlights your ability to cater for diverse dietary needs. We love seeing creativity in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your experience; share specific examples of how you've managed kitchen operations before. Whether it's budgeting, stock control, or menu planning, we want to hear how you’ve tackled these challenges successfully.
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team at Coin Street Nursery.
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 see your enthusiasm for creating healthy meals for children. Share any experiences or ideas you have about promoting nutritious eating habits, as this aligns perfectly with our values at Coin Street Nursery.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Even if you haven't worked in a nursery before, we want to know about your catering experience. Focus on your skills in preparing meals for large groups and managing kitchen operations, as these are key to the Head Chef role.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:In your application, emphasise your organisational skills and attention to detail. Mention how you manage budgets, stock control, and food hygiene, as these are crucial for maintaining our high standards in the kitchen.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to submit your application through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Ingredients
Familiarise yourself with the nutritional needs of young children and how to cater for various dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss your experience with allergies, intolerances, and special diets during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Menu Planning Skills
Prepare to talk about your approach to menu planning and how you ensure meals are fresh, healthy, and varied. Bring examples of past menus you've created, especially those that catered to large groups.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Highlight your ability to manage kitchen operations effectively, including stock control and budgeting. Be prepared to share specific strategies you've used to maintain high standards of cleanliness and food hygiene.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
Since you'll be working closely with a kitchen assistant and other staff, show your collaborative side. Discuss how you communicate and lead daily kitchen activities, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
