At a Glance
- Tasks: Create fresh, nutritious meals for children and staff in a vibrant nursery setting.
- Company: Join Coin Street Nursery, a friendly team dedicated to healthy eating.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, 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 delicious, healthy 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
Lead Chef for Nursery Services. Job in London LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
Coin Street Nursery is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff. With a strong commitment to healthy eating and nutrition for children, we offer a supportive work culture, generous benefits including 35 days of annual leave and a contributory pension scheme, as well as opportunities for training and development. Located in London, our nursery provides a vibrant environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of young children while enjoying a fulfilling career in catering.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Chef for Nursery Services. 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 how your passion for healthy eating aligns with what Coin Street Nursery stands for. It’s all about making that connection!
✨Tip Number 2
Bring your A-game when it comes to showcasing your culinary skills. If you can, prepare a sample menu or dish that highlights your ability to cater for diverse dietary needs. We love seeing creativity in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your organisational skills! Talk about how you manage kitchen operations, stock control, and budgeting. We want to know how you keep everything running smoothly while maintaining those high standards.
✨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 Lead Chef for Nursery Services. 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 role of Lead Chef.
Be Organised and Detail-Oriented:Since you'll be responsible for menu planning and stock control, make sure to mention your organisational skills. We love candidates who can manage their workload effectively and maintain high standards in the kitchen.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, the best way to apply is through our website! This ensures your application gets to us directly and helps us keep everything organised. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Nutrition
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. This shows that you understand the importance of healthy eating in a nursery setting.
✨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. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the responsibilities of the Lead Chef position.
✨Emphasise Organisation Skills
Since the role requires managing a busy kitchen for up to 80 children and staff, be prepared to talk about your organisational skills. Share specific strategies you use to keep the kitchen running smoothly, from meal prep to end-of-day cleaning.
✨Align with Their Values
Research Coin Street Nursery's values around nutrition and quality. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs. This connection can make a strong impression and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
