Course Overview
The Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship provides the skills and knowledge needed to work in a professional kitchen. Apprentices learn how to prepare, cook, and present food while maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene, and quality.
Through a combination of workplace experience and structured training, learners develop practical cooking techniques, understand kitchen operations, and build essential skills such as teamwork, communication, organisation, and time management.
Typical roles include Commis Chef, Kitchen Assistant, Prep Chef, and Junior Chef within restaurants, hotels, cafes, pubs, and catering environments.
Topics may include:
- Food preparation and cooking techniques
- Food safety, hygiene and health & safety
- Kitchen operations and working practices
- Menu knowledge, nutrition and ingredients
- Stock control, waste reduction and sustainability
- Teamwork, communication and customer service in Hospitality.
Assessment Methods
The apprenticeship concludes with an End-Point Assessment (EPA), which typically includes a practical observation, a culinary challenge observation, and a professional discussion supported by the portfolio. These assessment methods enable apprentices to demonstrate their ability to prepare and cook dishes to professional standards, work safely and efficiently, maintain food safety requirements, and contribute effectively as part of a kitchen team.
Successful completion confirms competence against the requirements of the Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship Standard.
Progression Options
You could progress to a Level 3 Chef de Partie Apprenticeship, Senior Commis Chef or Chef de Partie positions, or specialist chef roles, such as Pastry Chef or Sous Chef, and Level 4 Hospitality Manager Apprenticeship.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should ideally hold GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths.
Applicants must also be employed in a kitchen or catering role and have the support of their employer to undertake and successfully complete the apprenticeship programme, including opportunities to develop and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours in a professional kitchen environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply directly on any of the UCS College Group websites, whether you wish to study at Bridgwater College, Cannington College, Strode College, or Taunton College. Simply use our “Find a Course” feature and follow the on-screen instructions – be sure to have your important information to hand.
We aim to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip all our students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively, and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.
The Student Experience Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Student Experience Team works closely with the Safeguarding & Lifestyle Teams to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
We provide top-quality workshops and teaching areas across our Colleges for subjects such as art, design and media, hair and beauty, catering, automotive engineering and construction. You can review our campus facilities by navigating to the “College Life” section of our websites.
For us, the success of our students always comes first. By investing in our built environment, we are investing in your future.
All of our students will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the UCS College Group Advantage scheme.
The Safeguarding Team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person and their studies – no problem is too big or too small!
Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the College Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQ section, you can ask us a question by visiting our Contact Us page.
