Chef

Busy Bees; Greater London; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Birthday off

Job summary

Busy Bees is seeking a Chef to join our kitchen team, preparing nutritious meals for young children in our UK nurseries. You will contribute to the wellbeing and growth of children through healthy menus while gaining experience in early years catering.

As part of a supportive team, you will ensure food safety, manage kitchen operations, and participate in inventory management. A Food Hygiene Certificate and catering experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Empathy and understanding—each child is unique.
• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2+) or higher is required.
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulators during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Skills

Empathy

Food safety awareness

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2+)

Job description

Role Overview:

Join Our Team at Busy Bees - Leading Nursery Group in the UK

Are you passionate about cooking and providing nutritious meals for young children? As a Chef at Busy Bees, you’ll be a key part of our kitchen team, preparing healthy meals that support children’s growth and development. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a nurturing environment where you will contribute to the wellbeing of children while gaining valuable experience in catering within the early years sector.

About Us

Busy Bees is the UK’s leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries across the UK and more overseas. We are dedicated to giving every child the best start in life and are proud to have won awards for our workplace culture. At Busy Bees, we ensure that every member of our team feels heard, valued, and nurtured.

Why Work at Busy Bees?

We offer a supportive environment that empowers you to create engaging, educational spaces where children can thrive. As part of our team, you’ll be introduced to our unique Bee Curious curriculum, designed to foster curiosity and confidence in young learners.

Our Charitable Commitment

Through our partnership with BBC Children in Need, we offer fantastic opportunities for community involvement and fundraising to support children’s lives.

About our Nursery

Busy Bees Perivale, rated Good by Ofsted, has a capacity of 76 children and has been a part of the community since 1993. Our nursery provides a secure, fun, and stimulating environment where children can develop and flourish. Our dedicated team takes pride in the quality care they offer to every child. Conveniently situated within a five-minute walk from Perivale Tube station (Central Line), we provide complimentary lunches and free parking for our families. At our nursery, learning isn’t confined to indoors; we are proud to offer a safe and secure outdoor space where children can explore freely. We encourage them to enjoy the fresh air, stay active, and have fun while learning to take safe risks under the supervision of our experienced nursery staff.

Busy Bees Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our 'Hive' benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off - it’s our gift to you!
• 25% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Easy access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

But wait, there’s more! You’ll also enjoy access to our Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive - offering huge array huge of retail discounts helping your money to go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area sharing the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

Role Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Required Qualifications:

Ideal Candidate:

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above).
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding - each child is unique.