Early Years Field Chef

Bright Horizons; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A childcare organization is seeking a Field Early Years Chef to prepare and present meals for children across various nurseries. This full-time role requires travel within the Oxfordshire and Warwickshire areas, with the need for a UK driving license. Candidates should have commercial catering experience, knowledge of dietary needs, and a passion for healthy eating. An inclusive employer, they offer competitive benefits including childcare discounts and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Childcare discount of 50% for first child

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Pension

Financial and wellbeing benefits

Professional development programme

Qualifications

• Previous experience within a commercial catering role.
• Must have knowledge of managing dietary requirements.
• Ability to work across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present food for children in the nursery.
• Ensure dietary requirements are met and communicated.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.

Skills

Commercial catering experience

Passion for nutrition

Food safety knowledge

Great communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Education

Food Safety CIEH L2 or above

Job description

Role - Field Early Years Chef

Salary – Starting from £29,140.80 per annum (dependent on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Bristol

Are you looking to work for an organisation whose culture is driven by our HEART principles – Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork? Where you can be yourself, feel supported, and help to make a difference to the next generation? Somewhere you can say: “I did that.”

We are looking for a full time Field Early Years Chef, to join our Bright Horizons Central and London Division. This role will involve travelling around nurseries within the given region. The nurseries are predominately based in and around Oxfordshire and Warwickshire but there is an expectation to travel as North as Rugby, East as Haddenham and West as Bristol as required.

Due to travel, please note it is a requirement for this role to have a UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

Our Benefits

• Childcare discount of 50% for first child*
• Enhanced parental leave
• 20 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and paid Christmas closure. Ability to also purchase additional leave*
• Pension
• Financial and wellbeing benefits including 24/7 virtual GP appointments, early access to wages, and more
• Professional development programme access for every stage of your career, including access to a careers coach

*Subject to T&Cs

The Role

As an Early Years Field Chef, you will travel to nurseries within a region where cover is needed, when the permanent Chef is on annual leave, or at times of sickness or absence.

You will prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage. You will ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams and will work in partnership with the nursery teams to support the nursery care and education provision. You will also keep accurate kitchen records, maintain a clean and safe work environment, and support nursery management with food ordering.

What we’re looking for

• Previous experience within a commercial catering role
• Passion for nutrition, and inspiring others in healthy eating
• Ability to demonstrate a sound knowledge of managing different dietary requirements, particularly food allergies
• Food Safety CIEH L2 or above (or equivalent) – this must be passed on day 1 in post
• Sound knowledge of COSHH
• Great communication skills, with colleagues, children, and parents
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability and willingness to work across multiple sites, with access to own transport, and clean driving license

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to enable individuals with disabilities to participate fully in the recruitment and selection process.