Nursery Chef (Holiday Cover) - L2 Food & Hygiene Required

Rainbow Smiles Ltd; Brighton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A children's day nursery is seeking a temporary Nursery Chef to provide holiday cover. The role involves preparing nutritious meals, ensuring food safety, and maintaining high kitchen standards. Ideal candidates should have a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate and experience in similar settings. This position is essential for providing quality meals for children during the chef's absence.

Qualifications

• Valid Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate required.
• Previous chef or cook experience in childcare/educational settings is preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook healthy meals and snacks for children.
• Maintain cleanliness and organisation in the kitchen.
• Ensure food is safe and complies with hygiene and allergy guidelines.
• Manage stock levels and assist with orders.
• Collaborate with nursery team for smooth meal times.
• Report maintenance or safety issues to the Nursery Manager.

Skills

Food hygiene and safety standards

Organisational skills

Ability to work independently

Commitment to high standards

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Job description

Overview

Rainbow Smiles is a Children’s Day Nursery, which has all the latest facilities to provide a high level of childcare. This has not gone unnoticed within the local community, where we have already obtained a strong reputation. A large part of our success is based on the dedication and effort of our staff in providing exceptional care and service. As such, we value our team highly and understand that this is a two-way relationship — we actively promote staff development to help each member reach their full potential, while ensuring they have the tools and support needed to perform their duties efficiently and effectively.

We are currently looking for a reliable and skilled Chef to join our team on a temporary basis, providing holiday cover for our regular chef. As a Nursery Chef, you will be responsible for preparing nutritious, balanced, and tasty meals for our children, while maintaining the highest standards of food safety and hygiene.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook healthy, age-appropriate meals and snacks for children in line with nursery menus and dietary requirements.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and organisation in the kitchen at all times.
• Ensure all food is stored, prepared, and served safely, following food hygiene and allergy guidelines.
• Manage stock levels, monitor ingredient supplies, and assist with ordering as required.
• Work collaboratively with the nursery team to ensure meal times run smoothly and safely.
• Report any maintenance, safety, or equipment issues to the Nursery Manager.

Skills & Experience

• Must hold a valid Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Previous experience working as a chef or cook, ideally within a childcare or educational setting.
• Sound knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and maintain consistency during the cover period.
• Trustworthy, reliable, and committed to maintaining the high standards of Rainbow Smiles.

Please note: This is a temporary role to provide holiday cover for our regular chef. While the position is short-term, it is an important role within our nursery, ensuring continuity of care and quality meals for our children during the cover period.