Early Years Field Chef

Bright Horizons; Farnham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension

Wellbeing benefits & virtual GP

Career development programme access

Job summary

Bright Horizons Farnham Day Nursery and Preschool is seeking an Early Years Field Chef. You will travel to nurseries in Farnham and surrounding areas to cover shifts during leave or sickness, preparing meals for children while minimising waste and ensuring dietary needs are communicated to teams.

You will maintain accurate kitchen records, uphold high hygiene standards, and support nursery management with food ordering. Experience in commercial catering and a passion for nutrition are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven food safety knowledge and HACCP practices.
• Ability to manage dietary requirements and communicate with teams.

Responsibilities

• Travel to nurseries within Farnham region to cover shifts.
• Prepare, cook and present age-appropriate meals with minimal waste.
• Ensure dietary needs are catered for and clearly communicated to teams.
• Maintain kitchen records, keep a clean, safe workspace, and assist with food ordering.

Skills

Food Safety L2

COSHH knowledge

Communication skills

Driving license

Own transport

Site travel

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Farnham Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – Starting from £28,776.90 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience)

Location – Farnham and surrounding areas

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're looking for an Early Years Field Chef to join our team, to provide cover across our nurseries within the Farnham and surrounding area.

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

Bright Horizons is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to safer recruitment practice and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, which will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all ages and backgrounds to apply. We will consider reasonable adjustments required by applicants.

Proud to be a Great Place to Work for 20 years.