Role: Nursery Chef
Location: Hampshire – SP6
Salary: £28,652 per annum
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 38 hours per week
Achieve Hospitality are seeking an experienced and passionate Nursery Chef to join a well-established children’s day nursery located in the heart of Hampshire. Set within a beautiful Grade II listed building, the nursery provides high-quality care and education for children aged 3 months to 5 years in a nurturing and stimulating environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a chef who enjoys preparing nutritious meals for young children and wants to make a meaningful contribution to their health, wellbeing, and development.
Job Description:
This is a permanent, full-time position working 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The successful candidate will take full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the nursery kitchen, ensuring that all meals are freshly prepared, nutritious, age-appropriate, and compliant with food hygiene and safeguarding standards.
You will work closely with the nursery management team and educators to cater for varying daily numbers of children, ensuring all dietary requirements, allergies, and nutritional needs are met to the highest standard.
The role requires excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage food budgets effectively, maintain rigorous hygiene procedures, and work collaboratively with staff and parents to promote healthy eating habits.
Role Responsibilities:
- Prepare and cook fresh, nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks for children each day.
- Cater for daily attendance numbers while minimising food waste.
- Ensure all dietary requirements, allergies, and special nutritional needs are safely managed.
- Follow robust allergy management procedures and food service protocols.
- Maintain exceptional standards of kitchen cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety.
- Complete and maintain kitchen hygiene records, cleaning schedules, and compliance documentation.
- Ensure full compliance with COSHH regulations and food safety legislation.
- Monitor stock levels and order food efficiently within the allocated budget.
- Work collaboratively with nursery staff and parents to encourage healthy eating and positive nutritional habits.
- Ensure meals are prepared and served as close to service times as possible to maintain quality.
- Adhere to all nursery safeguarding, health and safety, and internal operational policies.
- Undertake any additional duties relevant to the role as required.
Candidate Requirements:
- Previous experience in a professional cooking role within either a domestic or commercial kitchen.
- Strong understanding of managing food allergies and specialist dietary requirements.
- Good working knowledge of COSHH regulations and food hygiene standards.
- Experience managing catering budgets effectively.
- Fluent written and spoken English (GCSE Grade C or equivalent).
- Passion for preparing healthy, nutritious meals for young children.
- Experience working within a childcare, nursery, school, or similar setting is desirable.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and time management skills.
- Enhanced DBS check required.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
Benefits:
- Monday to Friday working pattern with no weekend shifts.
- Childcare discount for employees.
- Generous annual leave entitlement, including birthday leave and bank holidays.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Ongoing training and career development opportunities.
- Excellent transport links.
- Supportive and welcoming working environment.
- Opportunity to make a positive impact on children’s health and wellbeing.
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please send your CV/resume to: laura.iveson@achievehospitality.com
