Nursery Kitchen Chef: Nutritious Meals & Team Lead

Busy Bees; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Ongoing professional development

Holiday entitlement (up to 28 days)

Birthday off

Childcare discount

Pension scheme

Job summary

Busy Bees is seeking a Chef to join our kitchen team in the UK. You will prepare healthy, nutritious meals for young children and oversee kitchen operations to ensure safety and quality. You’ll manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulators during inspections, while maintaining inventory and purchase planning.

The role focuses on delivering high-quality catering within the early years sector, contributing to children’s growth and wellbeing in a nurturing environment.

Qualifications

• Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2 or above) is required.
• Experience in catering or kitchen operations.
• Empathy and understanding — each child is unique.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, nutritious meals that meet dietary needs.
• Oversee kitchen operations ensuring food safety and hygiene compliance.
• Manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulatory bodies during inspections.
• Maintain kitchen inventory and efficiently manage purchasing.

Skills

Cooking

Food safety

Team leadership

Education

Food Hygiene Certificate (Level 2+)

Job description

Busy Bees is seeking a Chef to join our kitchen team in the UK. You will prepare healthy, nutritious meals for young children and oversee kitchen operations to ensure safety and quality. You’ll manage kitchen staff and collaborate with regulators during inspections, while maintaining inventory and purchase planning.

The role focuses on delivering high-quality catering within the early years sector, contributing to children’s growth and wellbeing in a nurturing environment.