Professional Chef Apprenticeships
The Apprenticeship has two pathways – Commis Chef/Production Chef.
You will learn all the basic cooking techniques required for working in a kitchen.
- Course Type Apprenticeship
- Subject Area Hospitality and Catering
- Qualification Apprenticeship
- Study Mode: Day Release
- Course Level Level 2
- Location Laurence Building (Hele Road site)
- Course Length Up to 18 months
- Overview
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Commis Chef
This Apprenticeship is aimed at those with a passion for food and cooking looking to develop their skillset. Commis Chefs 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.
Topics include:
- The principles of basic food preparation and cooking; taste, allergens (incl. intolerances), diet (incl. religious, cultural and medical) and nutrition
- Preparation , cooking and finishing methods for meat, fish, vegetables, sauces, dough and more
- The impact of seasonality on the availability, quality and price of ingredients
- Basic costing and yield of dishes and the meaning of gross profit
- Health and safety
- Teamwork and communication skills
Apprentices will need to be working towards and achieve the following job role requirements before their end point assessment:
- Prepare, cook and finish food items in line with legislation and by following brand standards, recipe specifications and controlling portion control and food waste
- Clean and maintain a safe and hygienic kitchen environment including preparation, cooking and storage areas
- Contribute to reviewing and refres
Production Chef
This Apprenticeship is aimed at those with a passion for food and cooking, and looking to develop their skillset.
Production chefs work as part of a team and are likely to work with standardised recipes and menus, producing food to high volumes in settings such as schools, hospitals, high street casual dining venues or pub kitchens.
Topics include:
- Techniques for the preparation, assembly, cooking, regeneration and presentation of food
- The importance of organisational/brand specifications and consistency in food production
- The scope and methods of adapting dishes to meet the specific dietary, religious and allergenic needs of individuals
- Allergens and the legal requirements regarding them
Apprentices will need to be working towards and achieve the following job role requirements before their end point assessment:
- Producing food, meeting portion controls and budgetary constraints
- Adapting and producing dishes to meet special dietary, religious and allergenic requirements
- Using specialist kitchen equipment
- Communicating internally and externally with customers and colleagues
- Committing to personal development activities.
Next steps: On completion you could progress on to the Level 3 Chef de Partie Apprenticeship, or progress in to full time employment.
- Entry Requirements
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Every employer is different and therefore the entry requirements can vary. As a guide, you ideally need GCSE grade 4 in English and Maths. However, we will work with you and provide additional support to help you achieve their requirements, either prior to your Apprenticeship or during the delivery of your programme.
- Facilities
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Hospitality and Catering students will experience the real-life rush of a restaurant, by working in our very own @34 commercial facility, open to the public five days per week. Exeter College’s @34 fine dining, teaching and learning restaurant has achieved a prestigious AA College Rosette Award for its quality service and food.
Our Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) give you access to a huge range of online books and resources to help you with your studies.
- Additional Costs
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You will need to buy a basic clothing, safety shoes, knife set and textbook.
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Have a question?
If you have questions or would like to speak to someone, our team of Customer Service Advisers can help answer your questions or direct your enquiry to the correct team.
Speak to us today on 01392 400500 or send us a message using our contact form: www.exe-coll.ac.uk/contact. -
Ready to find out more?
Why not come along to one of our open events, a chance to explore our facilities, ask questions about our courses and find out more about being a student at Exeter College. Visit our open events page to find out more today.


What our students think?
“Some businesses get stuck in their ways, but having an Apprentice learning with the College can bring new ideas to your business. Apprentices get the opportunity to learn techniques and pick up influences that they might not have the opportunity to in their own company – it opens them up…” Read more >
“My Apprenticeship will help me take the next step in my career at St Austell Brewery and hopefully progress onto an Assistant or General Manager role. I’ve always wanted to understand the kitchen side of things and taking a Commis Chef Apprenticeship gives me a better understanding of the business as a whole.” Joey Harris,... Read more >
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