Nursery Cook

Description

Our local government clients are recruiting a Nursery Cook. We are seeking a reliable and experienced Nursery Cook to provide temporary cover at a nursery in North London. This is a key role in ensuring children receive fresh, nutritious meals that meet their individual dietary needs.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Prepare and cook fresh meals and snacks daily for children aged 0–5 years old.
• Cater to a range of dietary requirements, including allergies and cultural preferences.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and nursery policies.
• Collaborate with the nursery team to plan balanced menus.
• Keep accurate records of food temperatures, cleaning schedules, and allergy information.

Qualification – Essential

• GCSE Grade (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics.
• City & Guilds Food Preparation & Culinary Arts or NVQ 7247 in Hospitality & Catering.
• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate & Certificate in Health & Safety

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience Requirements - Criteria to be Evaluated at the Shortlisting Stage.

• Solid experience preparing a variety of different meals to meet the special dietary requirements of the children.
• Strong understanding of food allergies, intolerances, and dietary needs.
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills. 
• Able to ensure that all foods produced are prepared and cooked correctly, complying with healthy, safety, and food hygiene standards.
• Experience in cooking for large numbers & planning, and implementing menus.
• Able to organise the time so that meals are prepared within the hours allocated and served on time. 
• Experience in maintaining a high standard of recording about menu planning, food ordering and stock rotation.
• Experience dealing with food supplies.
• Experience in checking deliveries for quality and quantity against the official order.
• Able to ensure that stock rotation is practised and stores are maintained neat, tidy, clean and safe.
• Able to maintain a high standard of kitchen and equipment cleanliness and hygiene.
• Able to ensure kitchen equipment is kept in good condition and report any faults promptly.
• Able to communicate with children and young people and attend staff meetings.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety Legislation relating to the usage and storage of food.
• Knowledge of Food Hygiene Legislation and ability to keep abreast of current legislation relating to food.
• Knowledge of the nutritional requirements of children.

Essential Compliance Requirements

• 3 Years References
• Enhanced DBS & barred list check (Child)
• A pre-engagement screening is mandatory for this role. Please be prepared for this additional step in the application process.

Diamond Blaque Group, a leading provider in the public sector, is acting as an employment agency for this vacancy. Our organisation is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace.