Commis chef
Level 2 · IntermediateCatering and hospitality 1 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Commis Chef apprenticeship is your first step into a professional kitchen, training you to prepare, cook, and present food under the guidance of more senior chefs. You will learn fundamental cooking techniques, knife skills, and food hygiene across a range of cuisine styles in restaurants, hotels, contract catering, or care settings. Completing this apprenticeship gives you the foundation to progress to Chef de Partie and beyond.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Core cooking methods including boiling, roasting, grilling, poaching, and frying
Professional knife skills and safe tool handling
Food hygiene legislation and Level 2 food safety principles
How to prepare stocks, sauces, pastry, and other kitchen basics
Menu awareness and the role of each section in a professional kitchen
Cost awareness, portion control, and minimising food waste
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Prepare vegetables, proteins, and mise-en-place for service
Cook dishes to specification under the supervision of senior chefs
Maintain a clean, organised workstation throughout the shift
Follow allergen controls and labelling procedures accurately
Receive and store deliveries correctly, checking temperature and quality
Assist with stock rotation and end-of-service kitchen cleaning
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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