Early Years Field Chef

MP Training and Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare discount

Enhanced parental leave

20 days annual leave

Pension and wellbeing benefits

Career development programme

Shift options: 40 hours over 5 days

Job summary

Bright Horizons Blackheath Day Nursery and Preschool in Blackheath, London seeks an Early Years Field Chef to travel within a region to cover absences and sickness. You will prepare and present healthy meals for children, accommodating dietary requirements and working with nursery teams to support care and education.

You will keep accurate kitchen records, maintain a clean, safe environment, and assist with food ordering, contributing to a nurturing, regulated kitchen operation.

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial catering role with children or education setting preferred.
• Sound knowledge of managing dietary requirements and allergies.
• Food Safety Level 2 or higher, to be completed on day 1 if not already held.
• COSHH awareness and safe kitchen practices.

Responsibilities

• Travel to nurseries within a region to cover absence or sickness.
• Prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate meals with minimal waste.
• Ensure dietary requirements are catered for and communicated to teams.
• Maintain kitchen records, uphold cleanliness and safety, and assist with food ordering.

Skills

Commercial catering experience

Nutrition focus

Dietary requirements management

Food Safety Level 2

COSHH knowledge

Communication with staff/parents

Driving licence

Job description

Nursery – Bright Horizons Blackheath Day Nursery and Preschool

Salary – From £31,948 per annum (dependant on qualification/s and experience) Location – Blackheath, London 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 Blackheath nursery, situated in Blackheath, London.

Benefits

• From £31,948 per annum
• 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
• Shift options: 40 hours over 5 days *Subject to T&Cs

The Role

• 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.
• Prepare, cook, and present age-appropriate food for all the children in the nursery, with minimum wastage.
• Ensure all dietary requirements are catered for and clearly communicated to teams and work in partnership with the nursery teams to support the nursery care and education provision.
• 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. Please note, due to our sector all roles are subject to an Enhanced DBS.

At Bright Horizons, our culture is built on our commitment to Keeping Everyone Safe and providing world-class care and education, delivered by a world-class workforce. We believe our people's potential is endless and with this in mind, we aspire to create an environment where our colleagues can thrive and accomplish the things they thought impossible. Bright Horizons has been recognised as a Great Place to Work by our employees and the Great Place to Work Institute for the last 13 years. We care passionately about what we do, and our HEART values and principles help us support one another in the work that we do each day. These are quite literally at the HEART of our organisation’s ethos and culture as it helps us to provide a working environment that supports professionalism, growth and diversity. We are passionate about our people’s ongoing learning and development. Our learning and leading with HEART framework supports each Bright Horizons colleague on the first steps of their leadership journey, whether that includes our 'World-Class Welcome' induction or our extensive ongoing training programme. Either way we want you to feel valued and invested in! Celebrating in the accomplishments of our people is an essential part of our culture. We believe in the power of "thank you" and throughout the year, in ways big and small, formal and informal, we show our appreciation for employees at all levels. We have many ways to acknowledge and celebrate our people, including our very popular "employee appreciation month". This is a chance for everyone to share their gratitude to one another, across the whole company. Whether it is a "thank you" placed on our website, a chocolate pizza, team lunch or an ice cream van visit, it is our way of showing each other we care and appreciate everything we do. Each year, we have our annual 'Awards of Excellence' events; whether you are an award winner or cheering on a fellow team member, these formal award occasions are opportunities to come together and celebrate one another.

By creating this account you acknowledge that Bright Horizons will collect, store and process any of your personal data provided in respect of your application and employment in accordance with our Employee Privacy Notice. https://www.brighthorizons.co.uk/statutory-information/privacy-notice-employees.