Commis Chef (L2) Apprenticeship Standard

The Commis Chef Level 2 apprenticeship is for learners working in a wide range of Catering settings across the service and commercial sectors. A commis chef is the most common starting position in many kitchens. A commis chef prepares food and carries out cooking tasks under the supervision of a more senior chef.

You will learn to demonstrate understanding and knowledge in the following areas:

Culinary - business influences on dishes and menus, technology for development of dishes, checking food stocks and storage, set-up, preparation and cleaning tasks, identify ingredients, portion sizes, principles of food preparation and cooking, knives and kitchen equipment, and seasonality.

Food safety - personal hygiene, practices, store, prep and cooking.

People - team performance, communication, training and development.

Business - basic costing, supply chain, waste management, identify risks.

You will learn the following skills:

Culinary - refresh menus, use technology, check food stocks, measure ingredients and portion sizes, craft preparation, basic cooking skills and knife skills.

Food Safety - maintain clean kitchen, complete kitchen documentation, store, prepare and cook food safely.

People - work effectively with others, good communication.

Business - follow instruction, meet targets, control resources.

You will learn the following behaviours:

Understand and demonstrate the values and behaviours required to meet the needs of customers, business and team members in line with a Commis Chef's role.

We want you to achieve to the very best of your ability at CRC. To make this happen we offer both learning and personal support by specialist staff tailored to meet your specific needs.

There are three stages of assessment:

1. On-programme stage – Formal observations and online knowledge exams
2. Gateway stage - successful completion of the Standards knowledge, skills and behaviours, functional skills and the 20% off the job training hours
3. End-point assessment (graded). Observation of performance – On demand test, Practical observation, and professional discussion completed by an external examiner.

This qualification is delivered in college and in your workplace. This will develop the skills set, knowledge-based elements of the Apprenticeship, Values and Behaviours, Functional Skills and meet the 20% off the job training.

Functional skills/GCSEs are delivered and assessed in a variety of ways at college, with flexibility, relating to your employer and the service industry sector.

This Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard is for people who wish to start a career as a Chef.

To enrol onto an Apprenticeship, you must be employed over 30 hours per week in a suitable establishment, please contact us should you need help in finding suitable employment.

Apprentices are paid a wage by the employer. Your employer is required to give you a contract of employment, which will include holiday entitlement and all other benefits. Your job role should provide you with the opportunities to develop the Standard’s skills, knowledge, and behaviours.

Entry onto the L2 Apprenticeship Framework or standard requires 2 x D Grades/2 x Grade 3 or above in Maths and English.
All applicants will be interviewed and complete an initial assessment for maths and English and the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a professional Commis Chef. The offer of a place on the course is subject to the outcomes of initial assessment, which will be taken at the College as part of the admissions process. In addition to the entry qualifications listed, the offer of a place on the course is subject to the outcomes of initial assessment, which will be taken at the College as part of the admissions process. Please note that entry criteria may vary quite significantly between courses at the same level. This is to take account of the specific skills needed for success on particular courses, the length of the course and the requirements for progression to the next level. Entry criteria are given as a guide, and the exact requirements in order to obtain a place on a particular course will be confirmed following attendance at a Welcome Event/Interview.

After completing the Commis Chef Apprenticeship Standard, you can progress onto the Chef de Partie Apprenticeship Standard. There are career opportunities in a wide variety of Catering establishments as a Commis Chef, for example restaurants, caf�s, conference centres, banqueting venues and hotels.

To start an apprenticeship, you will need to secure a suitable apprenticeship job with an employer:

Find the apprenticeship programme that you are interested in and express an interest in it by completing an application on MyChoice@16 and you will be signed up to our job alerts to keep you up-to-date with all the latest apprenticeship job vacancies.

You can also search the latest apprenticeship vacancies on the listing on our website and apply for a job.

Once you have secured an apprenticeship job with an employer you will then be enrolled on the programme with the College.

It is recommended that you also apply for a full-time course as a back up just in case you are not able to source a suitable job in time for September.