Nursery Cook / Chef
Hours: 25-35 hours per week
Working pattern: Monday to Friday
Weekend work: 1 weekends per year (Nursery Event)
Job purpose
We are looking for a caring, organised and reliable Nursery Cook / Chef to prepare healthy, balanced and nutritious meals for children in our nursery. The successful candidate will follow Banana Moon seasonal recipes and support the nursery's commitment to high standards in food safety, hygiene, nutrition and child wellbeing.
This role is key to creating enjoyable mealtimes for children while ensuring all meals are prepared safely, efficiently and in line with dietary, cultural and allergen requirements.
Key responsibilitiesHealth and safety
- Follow all Health and Safety, Healthy Eating and Allergen Management policies and procedures at all times.
- Wear the correct kitchen uniform and PPE, maintaining excellent personal hygiene standards.
- Ensure all food is covered, labelled and stored safely before serving and during transport to nursery rooms.
- Make sure food stored in fridges and cupboards is properly covered, dated and labelled.
- Record temperatures of high-risk foods at the point of cooking and serving.
- Monitor and record fridge and freezer temperatures daily.
- Check and record food temperatures on delivery.
- Maintain effective allergy management systems, including the correct use of the yellow plate system for children with known allergies.
- Prevent cross-contamination within the kitchen at all times.
- Keep the kitchen, appliances and equipment clean, hygienic and in safe working order, including fridges, freezers, ovens, floors, walls and serving trolleys.
- Ensure crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils are cleaned and sterilised in line with food safety guidance.
- Ensure kitchen waste is removed and stored hygienically and regularly.
Kitchen and operational duties
- Prepare meals and snacks in line with Banana Moon seasonal recipes.
- Help deliver a balanced, healthy and varied menu in line with nutritional guidance.
- Take account of children's dietary, medical, religious and cultural needs when preparing food.
- Ensure meals are ready at the required times and served at safe temperatures.
- Serve meals using suitable child-friendly utensils and receptacles that encourage independence and self-help skills.
- Maintain correct stock levels, rotate stock regularly and ensure all food items are clearly labelled with expiry dates.
- Order stock in line with nursery requirements and agreed budgets.
- Record and report any meal or menu queries or complaints to the Nursery Manager.
- Support nursery staff in daily routines, including snack preparation and cooking activities involving children.
- Liaise with colleagues to ensure kitchen standards are maintained at all times, including during periods of absence.
Wider nursery support
- Attend staff meetings and training sessions as required.
- Work as part of the wider nursery team to help maintain a safe, welcoming and high-quality environment.
What we're looking for
- Experience in a cook, chef or catering role, ideally in a nursery, school or childcare setting.
- Good knowledge of food hygiene, allergen awareness and health and safety requirements.
- Ability to prepare nutritious meals for children in line with set menus and recipes.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage stock, kitchen routines and meal timings effectively.
- A reliable, flexible and positive approach to teamwork.
- Understanding of children's dietary and cultural needs.
- A commitment to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and compliance.
Why join us?
- Monday to Friday working pattern
- Family-friendly hours
- Opportunity to be part of a caring nursery environment
- A rewarding role helping children enjoy healthy meals every day
- Pay depending on hours of contract given and experience
Pay: £17,000.00-£24,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Do you have Food hygiene and Infection Control Training ?
- Do you have an up to date First Aid Training Certificate?
Work Location: In person
