We have wonderful news: our Head Chef, Kerry Fox, is a Nursery Chef of the Year finalist at the 2026 National NMT Nursery Awards!
Everyone at Safari Childcare is incredibly proud to see Kerry’s passion, creativity and hard work recognised nationally. She has been at the heart of our food journey over the past two years, helping us bring together nutritious meals, hands-on learning and positive experiences around food.
For Kerry, the care goes far beyond what is on the plate. It is about helping our little explorers feel nourished, curious and confident—and making food a part of their Safari adventure.
Savannah Kitchen: Made with Care, Served with Pride
Our Savannah Kitchen brings our commitment to food and nutrition to life through freshly prepared meals and snacks, thoughtfully planned for growing children.
With menus approved by a certified nutritionist and a five-star food hygiene rating, we combine balanced nutrition with a variety of flavours and textures for children to discover.
Kerry plays a central role in turning that vision into the meals children enjoy each day. Supported by our kitchen team and wider Pride, her work helps make food a valued part of nursery life.
Read more about our approach on our Savannah Kitchen page.
Plant to Plate: Discovering Where Food Begins
At Safari, the food journey starts long before lunchtime.
Through Plant to Plate, children explore how food grows and what plants need to thrive. Planting, watering, watching, and discovering help them connect the natural world to the ingredients they recognise on their plates.
These experiences invite questions: What is happening beneath the soil? Why does this plant need water? What has changed since we last looked?
Along the way, children can practise patience, take responsibility, and learn new words. Food becomes something they can investigate and care for, as well as something they eat.
Mini Chefs: Little Hands, Growing Confidence
Our Mini Chefs Signature Sessions give children opportunities to take an active part in preparing food.
Through supported, age-appropriate experiences such as mixing, pouring, measuring and preparing ingredients, they can discover how separate foods come together to create something new.
These everyday actions offer plenty of learning. Measuring introduces mathematical ideas, mixing develops coordination, and following a sequence encourages listening and concentration. Working alongside others also creates opportunities for conversation, cooperation and pride in what they have made.
These are practical experiences that help children build confidence and independence, one small step at a time.
TastEd: Exploring Food Without Pressure
Our TastEd Signature Sessions invite children to explore fruit and vegetables using their senses.
What does an apple sound like when you bite into it? How does a dragon fruit feel on the outside? Do different apple varieties smell the same?
Children can look, touch, smell, listen and, if they choose, taste. Two simple rules guide these experiences: no one has to try, and no one has to like.
That approach matters. We want children to feel comfortable being curious, without pressure to eat something before they are ready. Looking closely, touching an unfamiliar texture or describing a smell can all be valuable steps in becoming more familiar with food.
Our Pride supports each child at their own pace, recognising that everyone brings different preferences and experiences to the table.
Food, Stories and Everyday Learning
Books are the golden thread running through our Safari curriculum, and food offers another way to bring those stories to life.
A story like Handa’s Surprise can inspire children to explore fruit, describe colours and textures, and discover new vocabulary. Growing and cooking experiences offer further opportunities to count, compare, ask questions and share ideas.
By connecting food with stories and practical exploration, we give children meaningful ways to learn about the world around them.
Mealtimes matter too. They offer opportunities to talk together, practise growing independence and enjoy familiar routines with caring adults. Our designated mealtime Ranger helps oversee these moments, supporting attentive care while children eat.
Together, Savannah Kitchen, Plant to Plate, Mini Chefs, and TastEd form a connected approach that nourishes children while helping them develop a positive relationship with food.
A Proud Moment for Our Safari Pride
Kerry’s finalist place is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the person behind so much of this work.
It reflects the dedication she brings to Safari every day, and we are delighted to see her recognised alongside talented chefs from across the early years sector.
The 2026 National NMT Nursery Awards take place on 7 November, and our Pride will be cheering her on. Congratulations to all this year’s finalists; we look forward to celebrating the care, skill and commitment across our sector.
Whatever happens on awards night, Kerry has already given us so much to be proud of.
Congratulations, Kerry, and thank you for the care you put into every meal and the enthusiasm you bring to our Safari food journey!