Apprentice Chef

Nfamilyclub invites applications for a full-time Apprentice Chef role in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, giving ambitious cooks the chance to train professionally while producing high-quality meals for children and colleagues in an early-years setting.

Role Overview

This Apprentice Chef position at Nfamilyclub combines hands-on kitchen work with structured training towards a funded Level 3 Production Chef Apprenticeship, including paid study leave. You will help craft daily breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks that meet the needs of children of different ages, plus staff lunches and smoothies, all within a 92-place nursery located a short walk from Bishop’s Stortford station with excellent rail and bus connections. The focus is on fresh, balanced cooking that supports childhood nutrition and maintains the highest hygiene standards while you build a genuine career path in professional catering.

Key Responsibilities

• Complete your funded Level 3 Production Chef Apprenticeship, with paid time allocated for study.
• Assist daily in preparing fresh, tasty and balanced meals plus snacks for children, along with lunches and smoothies for the nursery team.
• Ensure every dish meets nutritional requirements for successive age groups and adheres to food-safety and choking-prevention rules.
• Help the Chef accommodate diverse dietary requirements across all ages.
• Support preparation of daily staff meals and smoothies suited to varied diets and preferences.
• Contribute to kitchen paperwork and routine checks such as cleaning schedules and safety records.
• Keep the kitchen operating at a five-star food-hygiene standard.
• Foster friendly, professional relationships with parents so they feel assured about their children’s food.

What We're Looking For

• Food Preparation and Hygiene NVQ Level 2 or higher (or readiness to gain the Level 3 version during induction).
• Commitment to sustainable kitchen habits, including recycling and reducing food waste wherever possible.
• Genuine interest in creative cooking together with warmth toward children and families.
• Ability to work swiftly and accurately during peak service periods.
• Optimistic outlook and the motivation to make things happen.
• Enjoyment of delivering strong customer service.

Working at Nfamilyclub

Nfamilyclub is hiring for this Apprentice Chef role and provides a supportive team environment within early-years education. The Bishop’s Stortford site benefits from convenient transport links and offers a competitive salary of £17,784 per year plus an annual performance bonus of up to £750. You receive up to 35 days’ holiday (including a personal day and Christmas closure), a £100 yearly learning fund, paid N Academy training opportunities (Level 3 qualifications, early-years degrees, Forest School and more), enhanced family leave after two years, a 40 per cent childcare discount with six emergency days, loyalty rewards after five and ten years, a referral scheme paying up to £1,000, retail and leisure discounts, season-ticket loans, a cycle-to-work option, team events and wellbeing support.

Next Steps

To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.