What work does a Commis Chef do?

Commis Chef literally translates as ‘Clerk Chef’.  Commis chefs are the junior members of the kitchen staff.  They usually work under various Chef de parties in order to learn the skills required for each section.  They are usually newly qualified or are still undertaking culinary training.

The main work that Commis chefs do is to assist the more senior chefs in the kitchen with preparing, cooking or presenting a variety of dishes.  They start by learning basic knife skills, basic sauces, salads and cold dishes and progress to more complicated dishes through time.

Commis chefs can also have responsibility for checking on food stocks - reporting on shortages, throwing out food that is close to expiry and keeping the larder areas in good order.

Health and Safety as well as personal hygiene must be kept to high standards at all times.

The kitchen environment is a very busy one which can involve early mornings for breakfast shifts to late finishes after evening service.

What skills and qualities are needed to work as a Commis Chef?

In order to work as a Commis chef you should ideally possess a passion for food and have an interest in creating dishes.  Commis chefs should be willing to learn from the more experienced chefs in the kitchen and have the ability to listen carefully to instruction and to orders follow orders through.  Professional knife and cooking skills can be worked upon and developed.

Due to the nature of some of the work and equipment involved, a good knowledge of Health and Safety is also very important.  As kitchens can often be hectic, high pressured places to work, Commis chefs should also have good communication skills.  Finally, as a chef you must be equally comfortable working on your own when preparing or as part of a team when cooking and presenting.

Where will I be based for my Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a combination of on-the-job training and off-the-job training.  The two year programme involves 3 or 4 days a week in the workplace and 1or 2 days a week off the job training.   

Year 1 consists of:

• 3 weeks of intensive structured learning in a college or centre.
• 2 days per week in a college or centre and 3 days per week working with a SOLAS approved employer from October to June.
• 1 day per week in a college or centre and 4 days per week working with a SOLAS approved employer for July and August.

Year 2 consists of:

• 2 days per week in a college or centre and 3 days per week working with a SOLAS approved employer from September to June.
• 1 day per week in a college or centre and 4 days per week working with a SOLAS approved employer for July and August.

The Commis Chef apprenticeship is two years in duration and when completed the apprentice will have a Level 6 qualification.  The training is provided by the following institutions:

• Cavan/Monaghan ETB, Cavan Institute
• Cork ETB, Westside Centre
• Crumlin College of Further Education
• Colaiste Ide College of Further Education
• Galway/Roscommon ETB
• Kerry ETB, Kerry College of Further Education
• Limerick ETB, Hospitality Education & Training Centre
• Kilkenny/Carlow ETB
• Kildare/Wicklow ETB
• Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim ETB
• City of Dublin ETB

What is the Pay/Job market like?

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn and the rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.  The rate of pay will be at least the level of the minimum wage, rather than a set training rate. The employer will pay the apprentices salary for both on and off the job phases. There are no fees attached to this apprenticeship.

Qualified Commis Chef salaries can range between €19k - €27k per year depending on experience and the career has been identified as a Job in Demand according to the latest National Skills Bulletin.

How do I secure an Apprenticeship contract?

The Commis chef apprenticeship is open to those over 16 years of age who possess a minimum of-         

• a Level 4 Major award or
• 5 passes in a Level 3 certificate on the European Qualifications Framework or
• a minimum of 3 years trade related experience. 

In addition, a pass grade in Maths at Junior Certificate level or above is also a requirement. Those for which English is not their first language will require proof of having a B2 level of proficiency.

There are almost 1,000 hotels and guesthouses in the Irish Hotels Federation and many more other restaurants nationwide that require trainee chefs on an ongoing basis. The recent pandemic and the associated growth in domestic tourism means that the sector is experiencing a shortage of personnel, therefore employment opportunities are excellent.

Explore our Live apprenticeship area to find out what other employers are actively looking for apprentices.

Where can I get more information?

More information can be found on the Commis Chef apprenticeship and career pages or on this brochure.

The Irish Hotel Federation held a virtual open day for the three National Culinary Apprenticeships.  Watch the full video below:

You may also like to explore our Food and Beverages, and Tourism & Hospitality Career Sectors for much more information.  You can read some related stories or search our CourseFinder using the Apprenticeship filter.   

Further details about apprenticeships can also be found on the official apprenticeship website www.apprenticeship.ie or from your local ETB.

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