Location: Crouch Hill, London
Environment: Children's Nursery (Early Years)
Hours: Temporary, term-time role — typically 40 hours per week, 5 days over 7, on site
Pay: £20.37 per hour (temporary, inclusive of statutory holiday pay)

Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay with holiday pay included

• Meals provided while on duty

• Paid travel or free on-site parking where available

• Supportive, child-focused working environment

• Opportunity for repeat or longer-term temp placements

About the Role

We are recruiting a Temp Head Chef to lead the kitchen for a friendly children’s nursery in Crouch Hill. This is a hands-on, term-time position responsible for planning and delivering healthy, appealing meals and snacks for children and staff. The successful candidate will ensure meals meet nutritional standards for early years, manage day-to-day kitchen operations, and maintain strict food safety and allergen procedures.

Main Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare balanced, child-friendly menus in line with government and nursery nutrition guidelines

• Produce fresh breakfasts, lunches, teas, and healthy snacks suitable for children of different ages

• Manage stock control, ordering, portion control and minimise waste while maintaining quality

• Ensure full compliance with food safety, hygiene, and allergen management procedures (HACCP)

• Maintain kitchen cleanliness, equipment standards and safe working practices

• Communicate effectively with nursery managers, key workers, parents (when required) and suppliers

• Support and coach any kitchen colleagues or assistants, promoting a positive, team-focused culture

• Adapt menus to cater for allergies, dietary requirements and cultural preferences

Experience Required

• Proven experience in a senior chef role, ideally within early years, schools, care or large-scale catering

• Experience of menu planning for children, stock control and managing small teams

• Strong knowledge of food hygiene, allergen legislation and HACCP procedures

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent leadership and communication skills with a calm, professional manner

• Organised, reliable and able to work efficiently during busy service periods

• Passion for producing nutritious, fresh food with good presentation for children

• Flexible and adaptable approach to meet the needs of a nursery setting

• Commitment to safeguarding children and working within relevant policies

Qualifications

• Level 2 Food Hygiene (or equivalent) – required

• Enhanced DBS – essential for working in a nursery

• Allergen awareness training – mandatory

• Relevant culinary qualifications or demonstrable industry experience

Why Apply?

This is an excellent temporary opportunity for an experienced chef who enjoys working with children and delivering nutritious, high-quality meals. The role offers reliable daytime hours during term-time, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a positive impact on children’s daily meals and wellbeing.

About Chefs for Chefs

Chefs for Chefs are committed to promoting equal opportunities regardless of age, gender, religion, belief, race, sexuality or disability. We operate as both an employment agency and an employment business. If you are a professional chef who enjoys working in early years settings and delivering quality, nutritious food, we’d love to hear from you.