Nursery Chef

Willing Care Recruitment Limited; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading childcare recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Nursery Chef in Wokingham to prepare nutritious meals for young children. This full-time position offers a salary of £31,000 with Monday to Friday hours and no evenings or weekends. The ideal candidate will be passionate about child-friendly meals and will manage the kitchen independently, ensuring high standards of food safety and hygiene.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Discounted childcare

Additional day off on birthday

Snacks and refreshments provided

Access to wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Experience as a chef or cook, ideally in a nursery or childcare environment.
• Confidence to run a kitchen independently.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare balanced meals and snacks for children.
• Adapt menus for allergies and dietary requirements.
• Maintain high food hygiene standards.
• Manage kitchen operations including stock management.

Skills

Cooking experience

Knowledge of nutrition

Menu planning skills

Time management

Job description

Nursery Chef – Full-Time, £31,000

Make a Difference Every Day Through Fresh, Nutritious Food

Our client is looking for a confident and independent Nursery Chef to join a warm and welcoming early years setting with a Good Ofsted rating. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced cook or chef who is passionate about creating healthy, child-friendly meals while running a kitchen independently.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting children’s wellbeing by planning and preparing nutritious menus, managing dietary needs, and promoting a positive food culture within the nursery.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience as a Chef or Cook, ideally within a nursery, school, or childcare environment.
• Confidence to run a kitchen independently as the sole chef.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition, allergies, and special diets.
• Excellent organisation, time management, and menu planning skills.
• A passion for preparing meals that children will enjoy while supporting their development.

Why Join the Service?

• Competitive salary: £31,000 per year.
• Full-time hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00–5:00 – no evenings or weekends.
• Discounted childcare to support your family.
• Additional day off on your birthday to celebrate in your own way.
• Snacks and refreshments provided daily.
• Regular team events to build connections.
• Access to a wellbeing programme and support services.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and cook balanced meals and snacks for children aged 0–5.
• Adapt menus to meet allergies, intolerances, and special dietary requirements.
• Take full responsibility for running the kitchen, including ordering and stock management.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health, and safety.
• Work in partnership with nursery staff to ensure enjoyable mealtimes.
• Create varied and seasonal menus that encourage healthy eating habits.