Overview
Working as a commis chef is a great way of getting started in a kitchen; while it’s the most junior culinary role it provides a means of learning a range of key skills on the job. A commis chef prepares food and carries out basic cooking tasks under the supervision of a more senior chef.
A primary objective of the commis chef is to learn and understand how to carry out the basic functions in every section of the kitchen. This gives them the opportunity to experience, consider and value each section with a view to choosing an area where they feel most inspired.
The learning journey of a chef will vary considerably from one individual to the next; however it is the range of experiences in the basics gained in this role which provide the opportunities to progress to any future senior chef role.
You’ll learn a range of essential skills including:
- Food preparation and basic cooking tasks under supervision.
- Techniques for preparing various ingredients, including meat, fish, vegetables and sauces.
- Understanding food safety, hygiene standards, and kitchen operations.
Curriculum Delivery
Apprentices will attend college on a one day a week delivery pattern, based on 36 Days delivery during an academic year. Each session will be 7 hours instruction/practice and cover the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours as required by the apprenticeship standard. Additional sessions may be run over college closure periods to ensure the apprentice is meeting the course requirements and progressing as expected.
At least every two months, the apprentice will meet with their Activate Apprenticeships on-programme assessor to review and record their progress against the apprenticeship standard. At these reviews, evidence will be discussed and recorded by the apprentice. It is essential that employers also ensure that apprentices are being mentored in these practices whilst in the workplace to ensure a satisfactory level of competence and knowledge is achieved prior to End-point Assessment (EPA).
End-point assessment (EPA)
To achieve this apprenticeship standard, the employer, training provider and apprentice will agree when the apprentice has developed all the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours defined in the apprenticeship standard and clearly evidenced by the on-programme progression review meetings and records.
The independent end assessment ensures that all apprentices consistently achieve the industry-set professional standard and can commence at any point once the apprentice is competent after the twelve-month minimum period of learning and development. Prior to independent end assessment, the Functional Skills English and Maths components of the apprenticeship must be successfully completed.
PROgression
Apprentices can progress to more advanced roles, such as Chef de Partie role or Senior Production Chef, allowing for further specialisation in the culinary field.
Functional skills
To complete the apprenticeship the employee must pass Level 1 English and Maths (or have the appropriate exemption certificate) and work towards and attempt Level 2 before undertaking their end-point assessment language.
Typically 20% off-the-job training
Since the introduction of new style apprenticeships in May 2017, it’s been a requirement that every apprentice spends at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training. The required 20% off-the-job training hours will be calculated via the apprentices contracted hours of work, holiday entitlement and length of programme and will be clearly specified in our commitment statement. This requirement doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect – and doesn’t even mean the apprentice has to be away from their workplace 20% of the time.
Apprentice wages
Every apprentice must be paid a lawful wage for the time they are in work and in off the-job training. The employer must meet the cost of the apprentice’s wages. An employer can only pay the apprenticeship minimum wage from the start of the apprenticeship programme and not before. You can find information on the national minimum wage, the apprenticeship rate, and the definition of an employee on GOV.UK.