Course overview
Commis Chef Level 2 Apprenticeship City of Bristol CollegeThis occupation is found in the Hospitality industry across a range of sectors including hospitality, aviation and care.
Commis chefs may work in different types of organisations and employers such as restaurants, hotels, care homes/hospitals, military establishments and cruise ships. The broad purpose of the occupation is to support the kitchen in providing the culinary offer by preparing, cooking and finishing a range of food items whilst rotating around each section of the kitchen.
Commis chefs will work as part of a kitchen brigade to ensure the quality of the food items produced meet brand, organisational and legislative requirements including the completion of food safety management documentation. They receive, check and correctly store deliveries as well as checking on and reporting on food items and stock levels.
Commis chefs contribute to improving the culinary offer of their organisation. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a team (brigade) of chefs, the wider team including front-of-house staff, suppliers and customers. Commis chefs may work unsociable hours, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends and holidays.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for maintaining high standards of personal, food and kitchen hygiene in their section. A commis chef is supervised in their work and reports to a senior chef. In a smaller establishment, this may be the Head Chef or Chef Patron or may be a Chef de Partie in a larger organisation using the kitchen hierarchy system.
Start Your Apprenticeship Journey with City of Bristol College
Start your apprenticeship journey with City of Bristol College
Additional information
Who is this course for?
A commis chef is the most common starting position in many kitchens.
The commis chef prepares food and carries out basic cooking tasks under the supervision of a more senior chef, with the objective to learn and understand how to carry out functions in every section of the kitchen.
The learning journey of any chef will vary considerably from one individual to the next, depending on where they are completing their apprenticeship.
What you'll learn
On this apprenticeship, you’ll learn the knowledge and skills required to become a commis chef whilst working in the sector.
You will cover skills in cooking, working with people, food safety and business, and will use what you’ve learned from your workplace training and college sessions to demonstrate your learning to an end-point assessor.
You will also work towards either a Functional Skills Level 1 qualification in English and Maths, or Level 2, if you don’t already have them.
Course entry requirements
Apprentices will be required to have or achieve Level 1 in English and Maths by the end of their apprenticeship if they do not already have a GCSE Grade 1 – 9 in both subjects.
Where an apprentice has a Level 1 or equivalent, then they will be required to work towards achieving their Level 2 Functional skills during their apprenticeship.
The duration of the apprenticeship is determined by a number of different factors such as experience and prior learning. The minimum time of an apprenticeship is 12 months with the maximum being identified on an individual basis.
How is the course delivered and assessed?
Alongside your in-person work-based training, on this apprenticeship, you will attend masterclasses at college every 2 weeks, in-person and online, combining classroom learning with practical sessions in the kitchen to teach you the knowledge and skills you need to complete your apprenticeship.
At the end of 12 months, you will have 3 months to complete end-point assessments. These consist of a professional discussion, online exam and practical observation with an external assessor to gain your apprenticeship certificate.
You will be assigned a work-based college trainer who will guide you through your apprenticeship in conjunction with your employer to help you pass this assessment and provide support and guidance. It is a requirement that you must receive 20% off-the-job training, which can consist of shadowing, self-study and work-based training.
You will be observed and assessed by your assessor in the workplace, engaging in practical activities and routine activities that form part of your role within the setting. You will provide evidence of knowledge and understanding through written assignments or professional discussions, with your assessor.
You will use an e-learning portfolio to present your evidence for assessment.
Future career and study opportunities
After you complete this apprenticeship, you could move on to a Level 3 apprenticeship or progress into employment.
Additional costs
As a City of Bristol College apprentice, you may incur additional costs on your apprenticeship. For example, you may need to pay for travel and stationery; for some apprenticeships, you may need to purchase specialist equipment.
If you are on a limited income, you may be able to receive help from our Learner Support Funding Bursary.
