Commis Chef

Commis Chef

On a commis chef apprenticeship course, you’ll help prepare food and carry out basic cooking tasks in every kitchen section.

A commis chef is the most junior culinary role and the most common entry-level position in many kitchens. As an apprentice commis chef, you’ll prepare meals and do basic culinary tasks under the supervision of a more senior chef.

As a commis chef, your primary objective will be to learn and understand basic culinary duties. This will enable you to investigate, analyse, and enjoy each component before settling on an area in which you are most inspired.

Any chef’s route will be unique, but to progress to a future senior chef position, it is critical to understand and have expertise in the foundations that this job provides—across the culinary, food safety, people, and business modules that this apprenticeship covers.

What you’ll learn

On a commis chef apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

  • Contribute to the assessment and upgrading of menus to meet the requirements of the company and the consumers.
  • Use current technology in line with business procedures and standards to get the best outcomes.
  • Check food supply, report shortages, prioritise food due to expire, and keep storage facilities clean.
  • Prioritise tasks methodically to guarantee they are completed on schedule and with the required quality.
  • Measure out dish components and serving sizes precisely.
  • Demonstrate a range of craft preparation and fundamental culinary skills and techniques to prepare, produce, and present meals and menu items in line with the requirements of the business.
  • Use the appropriate knives and knife skills and the proper equipment while preparing, cooking, and presenting meals.
  • Store and use food ingredients properly while preparing recipes.
  • Use appropriate preparation and selection methods while using meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables in meals.
  • Complete all preparation and cooking tasks to a high standard, on time, and according to the recipe specifications.
  • Keep the kitchen clean and hygienic, and complete all required kitchen documentation.
  • Create a high-quality, consumer-safe product, ingredients must be properly kept, prepped, and cooked.
  • Collaborate effectively with others to ensure that the meals are high quality, delivered on time, and at the required level.
  • Use proper communication methods and conduct yourself fairly and equitably, demonstrating effective collaboration.
  • Develop your skills and knowledge via training and experience.
  • Assist team members in meeting deadlines and maintaining high-quality standards while preparing meals and menu items.
  • Perform the work to the best of one’s ability while adhering to the company’s values and culture.
  • Develop good working relationships within the team and with colleagues from other parts of the organisation, and deal with problems and concerns constructively to reach a positive outcome.
  • Follow directions to accomplish objectives and manage resources effectively.
  • Carry out all tasks with care and attention, and report any risks as soon as possible.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • Depending on the employer, GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience are likely.
  • Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises four distinct assessment methods: 

  • On-demand test
  • Practical observation
  • Culinary challenge observation
  • Professional discussion

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

  • Duration: 12 months
  • Level: 2 – Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Relevant school subjects: Food technology
  • Potential salary upon completion: £18,500 per annum

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.

Updated on January 20, 2024

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