Chef

N Family Club; City of London; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nursery group in Upminster seeks a Chef to prepare nutritious meals for children. This role emphasizes creativity in meal planning and adherence to safety standards. Candidates should have experience in a professional kitchen, ideally in an educational setting. Join us in reshaping early education while enjoying competitive pay and numerous benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Up to 35 days holiday

Annual learning fund

Clothing allowance

Enhanced family leave

Childcare discount

Loyalty bonuses

Referral bonus

Social and wellbeing events

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a professional kitchen, ideally cooking for children.
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards.
• A passion for healthy eating and nutrition for early years children.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Planning and preparing healthy meals and snacks.
• Ensuring all meals meet dietary requirements.
• Maintaining a clean and hygienic kitchen.
• Collaborating with nursery teams for meal alignment.

Skills

Experience in a professional kitchen

Knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards

Passion for healthy eating and nutrition

Organisational skills and attention to detail

Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Strong communication skills

Collaborative approach

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

Chef

Department: Nursery Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Upminster, London

Reporting To: Eleni Chondrogianni

Compensation: £27,706 - £37,627 / year

Description

We’re more than just a nursery group. We’re the UK’s most innovative early‑years education provider, proudly certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked the 30th Best Workplace in the UK.

At N Family Club, we dreamed of reimagining early years education. Becoming a place that fosters creativity, embraces a curriculum‑led approach, and prepares children for the modern world. We’re proudly making our dream a reality – and we want you to be a part of it!

As a Chef at N Family Club, you’ll play a vital role in nurturing children’s health and wellbeing through nutritious, delicious, and balanced meals. You’ll follow menus that support the nutritional needs of young children, maintain the highest standards of food safety, and bring energy and creativity to the kitchen every day.

What you’ll be doing…

• Planning and preparing healthy, tasty meals and snacks tailored to early years nutritional guidelines
• Ensuring all meals meet dietary requirements and allergies are carefully managed
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and hygienic kitchen environment at all times
• Ordering and managing stock efficiently to minimise waste
• Collaborating with nursery teams to align mealtimes with daily routines
• Supporting children to develop positive eating habits through meal presentation and interaction
• Adhering to all food safety legislation and standards, including HACCP
• Continuously innovating menus with fresh, seasonal ingredients

Our Chefs should have…

• Proven experience in a professional kitchen, ideally with experience cooking for children or in an educational setting
• Strong knowledge of food hygiene and safety standards (Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate preferred)
• A passion for healthy eating and nutrition, especially for early years children
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Positive attitude with a can‑do mindset and flexibility
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach

The N Advantage

• Competitive salary – £27,706 - £37,627, based on experience and dedication
• Up to £1,200 annual performance bonus
• Up to 35 days holiday – including a personal ‘Me’ day and Christmas closure
• £100 annual learning fund, plus access to N Academy (level 3, Early Years degrees, Forest School & more)
• £100 clothing allowance for style freedom!
• Enhanced family leave for parents, carers, and more
• 40% childcare discount, plus 6 emergency days annually

And that’s not all!

• 5‑year loyalty bonus – around‑the‑world trip + 2 bonus weeks off
• 10‑year loyalty bonus – ‘Out of this world’ experience + 2 extra weeks off
• Referral bonus – earn up to £1,000 per successful hire
• Amazing discounts – save on groceries, shopping, fitness and more
• Travel support – season ticket loans and cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Socials & wellbeing – annual parties, team events, gym discounts, and online fitness

Why N Upminster?

Our 109‑place brand new nursery will be opening in 2026, in the heart of Upminster, East London.

Making an impact…

At N Family Club, we do things differently. We support and celebrate individuality, champion diversity, and give every team member a voice. Our culture is rooted in respect, collaboration and a shared passion for early years education.

We invest heavily in your growth – from career progression and in‑house training to mentorship and personal development. With innovative environments, top‑tier benefits, and a focus on wellbeing, we’re building a workplace where educators thrive, and children soar.

Join N Family Club today and help us reshape early education for the better.

What’s next?

If you think you got what it takes, click apply and fill in our super quick (1 min) application form!

If you want to read more about N, our benefits and work culture, visit our Careers website or our Glassdoor Page.