Kitchen Assistant

N Family Club; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

35 days holiday

Job summary

N Family Club in Hackney Downs, London, is hiring a Kitchen Assistant to support the Chef in preparing breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for children and staff. You will help create healthy menus, follow food safety guidelines, and cater to diverse dietary needs.

This role emphasizes teamwork, efficiency, and a genuine passion for working with families in a dynamic nursery setting. Join a vibrant Nursery Operations team in a full-time post with ongoing development opportunities, competitive

Qualifications

• Previous experience in a commercial kitchen or nursery kitchen.
• Experience catering to a diverse range of dietary needs.
• NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation & Hygiene (Level 3 during induction if not held).
• Passion for food creativity and working with children and families.
• Interest in cooking with long-term culinary career goals.
• Willingness to adopt conscious food practices and minimize waste.

Responsibilities

• Assist with cooking fresh, tasty meals for children and team daily.
• Ensure meals meet nutritional needs and follow food safety guidelines.
• Cater to different dietary needs for all ages.
• Prepare daily lunches and smoothies for nursery team.
• Maintain kitchen paperwork, cleaning schedules, and safety logs.
• Order supplies, manage stock, and keep kitchen running smoothly.
• Maintain a 5-star Food Hygiene standard.
• Build professional relationships with parents over meals.

Skills

Kitchen experience

Dietary needs catering

Food hygiene knowledge

Customer service

Fast-paced work

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Food Preparation & Hygiene

Job description

Kitchen Assistant

Department: Nursery Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Hackney Downs, London

Reporting To: Natalia Stachowiak-Lewis

Compensation: £26,437 / year

Description

We're more than just a nursery group. We're the UK's most innovative early-years education provider.

At N Family Club, we dreamed of reimagining early years education. Becoming a place that fosters creativity, embraces a curriculum-led approach, and prepares children for the modern world. We're proudly making our dream a reality - and we want you to be a part of it!

As a Kitchen Assistant at N Family, you'll be cooking up a storm every day - supporting our Chef to prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for children, as well as a lunch and a smoothie for our hard-working nursery team. We're looking for a friendly, forward-thinking Kitchen Assistant who can support our Chef to create a menu that keeps everyone happy and healthy. With your dedication and passion, you'll make your mark and help us become the most loved early years education group in the UK.

Your key responsibilities

• Assist with cooking fresh, tasty, and nutritious meals for the children and team every day.
• Make sure each meal meets the nutritional needs of different age groups and follows all food safety and choking guidelines.
• Support the Chef to cater to different dietary needs for all ages.
• Support with preparing daily lunches and smoothies for the nursery team, catering to a variety of diets and preferences.
• Support the Chef to keep on top of kitchen paperwork and checks, including cleaning schedules and daily safety logs.
• Order supplies, manage stock, and make sure the kitchen runs smoothly.
• Maintain the kitchen to a 5-star Food Hygiene standard.
• Build friendly, professional relationships with parents so they feel confident about the food their children eat.

Our Kitchen Assistant should have...

• Previous experience in a commercial kitchen or a nursery kitchen.
• Experience in catering for a diverse range of dietary needs.
• A Food Preparation and Hygiene NVQ Level 2 or above (you'll need to complete a Level 3 during induction if not already held).
• A passion for food creativity and a love for working with children and families.
• A genuine interest in cooking with long-term culinary career goals.
• A willingness to adopt conscious practices within food and cooking, including recycling and creating as little food waste as possible.
• The ability to work quickly and effectively during busy service times.
• A positive, glass-half-full outlook.
• Bags of drive and motivation with a 'make it happen' attitude!
• A love for customer service.

The N Advantage package

• Competitive salary - £26,437 per annum
• Performance bonus - Up to £750 annually.
• Industry-leading holiday allowance - Up to 35 days, including a personal 'Me' day and Christmas closure.
• Development fund - £100 annual learning fund, plus paid N Academy training (level 3, EY Degrees, Forest School & more).
• Family-friendly - Enhanced parental/fostering/neonatal leave after 2 years.
• Childcare - 40% discount, plus 6 emergency days annually.

And that's not all!

• Loyalty rewards - 5-year bonus: around-the-world trip + 2 bonus weeks off. 10-year bonus: "Out of this world" experience + 2 more weeks off!
• Referral scheme - Earn up to £1000 per successful hire.
• Amazing discounts - Save on groceries, shopping, fitness, and more.
• Travel support - Season ticket loans and cycle-to-work scheme.
• Socials & Wellbeing - Annual parties, team events, gym discounts, and online fitness.
• And much, much more!

Why N Hackney Downs?

Join our fantastic team at this vibrant 82-place nursery in the heart of Hackney, North London.

Getting here is a breeze! With buses 276 and 488 stopping right outside, and Rectory Road overground station just a short walk away.

Why N Family Club?

At N Family Club, we're reimagining early years education - and we want you to be a part of it. We're a certified Great Place to Work and one of the UK's most innovative early years groups. With top salaries, unmatched benefits, and real career progression, we put our people first.