Commis Chef (Level 2)
This 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 and reporting 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.
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Duration
21 months
Most Suitable For
Ideal for new recruit or current staff who have a keen interest and a flair for cooking and aspire to become a chef
Award
Level 2 Commis Chef Standard
Programme Cost
£9,000.
Tuition fee financial support options, and how to apply for most of these, are detailed in our Apprenticeships Process Employer Guide. Please note the following important changes to apprenticeship tuition fee funding options, for August 2026-July 2027 intakes:
- For non-levy paying employers (most SMEs): the tuition fee will now be 100% gov funded if the candidate is aged 16-24 (or turning 16 June-August 2026). The education provider will advise employer how to secure this during programme application stage. For level 2-6 programmes if candidate is aged 25 or over, both the levy transfer (100% funds) and co-investment (95% funds) options will continue to be available for employers to apply for.
- For levy-paying employers: for all level 2-6 programmes, for both apprentices already on programme and future intakes, the co-investment option has changed to 25% employer contribution and 75% gov contribution. However, for future applications, the levy transfer option (100% funds) will continue to be available for employers to apply for.
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Additional Funding
- Employer incentives for apprenticeships starting between August 2026-July 2027 (see here for full details):
- £1,000 if apprentice is aged 16-18 (or turning 16 June-August 2026); or aged between 19-24 and has either an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and/or has been, or are, in the care of their local authority.
- £2,000 for non-levy paying employers only (typically SMEs) if recruit person(s) aged 16-24 (or turning 16 June-August 2026) on to an apprenticeship programme from October 2026, as long as the employment only starts within 90 days before the intake start date.
- £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant - Employer may be able to apply for this if recruits an unemployed person(s) aged 18-24 who has been on universal credit for over 6 months. Full details are available here.
- Employer may not have to pay Class 1 Employer National Insurance if apprentice is under the age of 25. Full details are available here.
Start Date
Anytime
Teaching Delivery
Blended with both face-to-face (once a week at college) and online teaching and resources.
Key Learning Requirements
Apprenticeships require learners to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), which are detailed in the Apprenticeship Standard. These are achieved by;
1) Programme Teaching; online coaching sessions , workshops (once a month) and online resources.
2) Independent study; such as assignment/project research and write up
3) Learning in the workplace; shadowing colleagues, completing programme assigned work based projects, day-to-day development within your current role duties/work activities, reflections with mentor, relevant training sessions.
Modules
Prepare, cook and finish - meat, poultry, fish, offal, game, shellfish, vegetables, sauces, soups, stocks, rice, pasta/noodles, eggs, veg protein, dough, pastry, cakes, sponges, biscuits, scones, hot and cold desserts.
Placements
In employment
Assessments
ongoing assessments throughout the apprenticeship journey to check recall, retention and reuse of K/S/Bs being taught. mini mocks every 12 weeks
Key Candidate Entry Requirements
•English and Maths L1 are desirable, however they can be worked towards while undertaking the qualification. A minimum L1 Math and English must be evident/achieved to enter in to the EPA gateway, level 2 FS exams must be attempted.
Key Employer Entry Requirements
•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.
• Employed 30 hours or more per week for the duration of the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship duration may be extended to support staff who work less than this (will be looked at on individual basis)
•To attend review meetings with the assessor and apprentice every 8 -12 weeks to discuss progress.
•To support the learner with off the job training.
Listed as an Approved Provider under an NHS Procurement
Yes
Application Timescale
- It takes on average 2 months to complete all application stages for this programme.
- If recruiting to this position, additional time will be required for recruitment and advertising stages.
Pathway
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has an interactive
occupational maps tool which shows the variety of progression pathways using apprenticeships.
Career progression does not have to be linear. Entry criteria may differ per provider and even more varied routes may be available depending on the individuals prior learning and experience.
Information Last Updated
11/09/2024
Further Programme and Provider Information
Apprenticeship Standard
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for an apprenticeship programme - either for yourself, a member of staff, or a vacancy position - please complete our apprenticeship form. This form is for Primary Care Employers within Lancashire and South Cumbria only.
By completing the form, the Training Hub Apprenticeships Team will be able to complete basic pre-checks, provide you with personalised guidance, and start the programme application process for you. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email [email protected] or call Olivia, Apprenticeships Manager, on 07735161775. You can find out about the stages of applying for an apprenticeship within our Apprenticeships Process (Employer Guide).
