Open to opportunities

Niccolo Stella

@niccolostella

Message

Junior backend developer specializing in Python, Django REST APIs and scalable backend systems.

United Kingdom

Message

What I'm looking for

I am seeking a junior backend role focusing on Python/Django APIs where I can contribute reliable code, learn cloud technologies, and grow within an agile team.

I am a motivated junior backend developer transitioning from a Head Chef career into software, focused on Python, Django REST Framework and PostgreSQL. I have built and published multiple full projects on GitHub, implemented role-based APIs, audit logging, testing, and deployed microservices during an internship.

My background in high-responsibility, fast-paced kitchen environments has honed my independence, organisation, and problem-solving skills, which I apply to writing clean, maintainable code and collaborating in agile teams. I am eager to contribute reliable backend engineering, continue learning cloud technologies like AWS, and grow within a development team.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Junior Backend Developer

Current

Self-Taught

Apr 2024 - Present (1 year 8 months)

Studied and built multiple Django REST Framework projects, completed SQL and Django courses, and published full-stack backend projects on GitHub demonstrating API design, authentication, and PostgreSQL integration.

Python Django REST Framework PostgreSQL REST APIs Docker Git Unit Testing

Backend Intern

Sparrow Code

Jul 2025 - Oct 2025 (3 months)

Co-created and maintained Django REST Framework APIs with PostgreSQL, wrote unit tests using pytest, produced API documentation with Swagger, and deployed a backend microservice within an agile team.

Django REST Framework Python PostgreSQL Pytest Swagger Git API Design CI CD Microservices

Head Chef

Bright Horizon

Apr 2023 - Jul 2025 (2 years 3 months)

Sole Head Chef responsible for all kitchen operations in a nursery, managing menu planning, stock control, hygiene compliance and introducing workflow optimisations to improve efficiency under time pressure.

Operations Management Inventory Control Process Optimization Compliance Team Leadership Time Management Communication

Senior Chef de Partie

Blue Jasmine

Apr 2021 - Aug 2022 (1 year 4 months)

Managed kitchen sections during high-volume fine-dining service for 200–300 guests, solved operational problems under pressure and ensured high standards across multiple stations.

High Pressure Service Quality Control Multitasking Problem Solving Kitchen operations Teamwork

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

I.P.S.S.E.O.A. Aurelio Saffi

High School Diploma, Hospitality and Culinary Arts

2012 - 2015

High School Diploma in Hospitality and Culinary Arts awarded by I.P.S.S.E.O.A. Aurelio Saffi in Florence, focusing on culinary skills and hospitality operations.