Commis Chef Apprenticeship

Northern Skills Group; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local pub is seeking a Commis Chef apprentice in Tees Valley. You will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced kitchen environment, assisting in food preparation and cooking. The role involves completing a structured apprenticeship while learning culinary skills from skilled chefs. Successful candidates may progress to a full-time position post-apprenticeship. The role offers a salary of £11,778 for the first year with potential increases based on age.

Qualifications

• Availability to work flexible shifts, including evenings and weekends.
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing fresh ingredients for menu items.
• Support chefs in cooking and plating dishes.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area.

Skills

Customer care skills

Creative

Education

GCSE in Maths and English (grade 4)

Job description

Northern Skills is recruiting on behalf of The Black Lion for a Commis Chef apprentice. You’ll be immersed in the fast‑paced world of professional cookery, learning from some of the best chefs in the region. This role is a stepping stone to a rewarding culinary career.

Wage – £11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age. National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices. Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab).

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands‑on experience.

What you'll do at work

• Assist in preparing fresh ingredients for menu items, including starters, mains, and desserts.
• Support chefs in cooking and plating dishes to company and brand standards.
• Learn to manage different kitchen sections (grill, fryer, garnish, prep, etc.).
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised work area at all times.
• Follow all food hygiene and health & safety procedures.
• Help with stock rotation, labelling, and proper food storage.
• Support with deliveries, checking quality, storing goods, and minimising waste.
• Participate in menu tastings and seasonal updates when required.
• Work efficiently during busy service periods while maintaining high food quality.

Where you'll work

1 HIGH STREET
SEDGEFIELD
STOCKTON ON TEES
TS21 2AU

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

• Uses knives effectively and efficiently.
• Selects ingredients of the right quality that support sustainability and seasonality.
• Weighs, measures, and scales ingredients.
• Prepares, cooks, and finishes meat, offal, game, poultry, fish, and shellfish from whole; trims, de‑veins, portions, breaks down, bones, skins, fillets, shells.
• Prepares, cooks, and finishes fruit vegetables.
• Prepares, cooks, and finishes sauces.
• Prepares, cooks and finishes pureed and cream soup and stock‑based dishes.
• Prepares and cooks noodles, and fresh or convenience pasta.
• Prepares and cooks pulses and grains, including long and short‑grain rice.
• Prepares, cooks and finishes eggs or egg‑based dishes.
• Prepares, cooks and finishes leavened and unleavened dough products.
• Prepares, cooks and finishes sweet and savoury pastry products using short, sweet, and choux.
• Prepares, cooks and finishes scones, biscuits, sponge cakes, and non‑sponge cakes.
• Prepares, produces, and finishes hot and cold desserts.
• Prepares and cooks dishes using alternative ingredients (eg plant‑based, gluten‑free).
• Prepares fresh ingredients, including from whole, using them across a menu to reduce waste and improve sustainability.
• Uses seasoning, spices, rubs, and marinades to flavour ingredients.
• Portions, plates, finishes, garnishes, and presents individual dishes.
• Exercises portion control and acts to maximise yield.
• Achieves intended quality in terms of texture, flavour, and appearance.
• Identifies and resolves errors during the production process.
• Assists in the resolution of feedback, complaints, and issues.
• Prepares, cleans, and uses manual and electrical food‑preparation and cooking equipment and machinery safely, correctly and efficiently.
• Applies food safety and allergen procedures, including monitoring temperatures, during preparation, cooking, and holding.
• Selects and applies hygiene management techniques to maintain a safe clean work environment, including personal hygiene, PPE, and uniform.
• Complies with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
• Undertakes stock control, storage, and rotation.
• Applies food safety and allergen procedures, and monitors and records food temperatures on delivery and in storage.
• Follows equity, diversity and inclusion legislation and organisational policies.
• Uses techniques for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing to support self and others, including asking for and giving help with daily tasks.
• Communicates with colleagues, manager and other stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Works as part of a team to support service delivery.
• Uses feedback to improve own performance.
• Manages own time to ensure tasks are completed.
• Day release at Middlesbrough College weekly.

Requirements

GCSE in:
Maths and English (grade Grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Customer care skills
• Creative

Other requirements

Availability to work flexible shifts, including evenings and weekends.

About this employer

The Black Lion is a local pub located in the heart of Sedgefield.

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there may be opportunities to progress to a full-time Commis Chef role within our team.

The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Middlesbrough College

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000002741.