1st Commis Chef

The Dorchester - Kitchen - Banqueting; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious luxury hotel in the City of Westminster is seeking a Commis Chef for its Banqueting Kitchen. Join a dynamic team focused on excellence, quality food preparation, and top-tier service standards. You will assist in daily food preparation, follow recipes, and ensure high hygiene practices. Ideal candidates will have a strong interest in food and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. This role comes with numerous perks, including complimentary stays and extensive training opportunities.

Benefits

Complimentary stays at Dorchester Collection Hotels

50% off food and beverages

Employee pension scheme

Access to training and development programs

Various social events

£1,000 referral bonus

Well-being support

Qualifications

• Strong interest in food preparation and quality.
• Willingness to learn and adhere to instructions.
• Reliable and respectful approach to teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily food preparation and maintain workstation hygiene.
• Follow recipes to ensure consistency in portion size and flavor.
• Utilise surplus ingredients to manage food costs.

Skills

Interest in food preparation

Ability to follow instructions

Good timekeeping

Basic food hygiene understanding

Physical stamina

Education

Formal culinary training or apprenticeship

Job description

Join us as a Commis Chef in The Banqueting Kitchen at The Dorchester Hotel, recently recognised as one of the 'Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work for' in 2024, 2025 and 'Hotel of the year – London' at the 2024 AA Hospitality Awards. We continually strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is part of our DNA, reflected in our values of passion, personality, respect, working together, and creativity. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our culture and drives our success.

We care about your career and are proud to have the absolute best people in the industry.

When you join us as a Commis Chef in The Banqueting Kitchen at The Dorchester Hotel, you will have a unique opportunity to excel in your field. You will learn from your fellow Legends and our award‑winning learning academy to achieve the highest standards in craft, service, and leadership.

Here at the Dorchester, we uphold the highest standards of food safety and hygiene. As part of our Kitchen team, you will play a vital role in ensuring full compliance with HACCP requirements to maintain our commitment to five-star service.

What you’ll do

• Assist in daily food preparation, supporting your section with tasks such as portioning fish, meat, vegetables, and desserts.
• Follow outlined recipes to ensure consistency in portion size, flavour, and presentation.
• Utilise surplus ingredients where possible, helping to manage food cost and reduce waste.
• Ensure that all food produced meets the high standards of quality expected at The Dorchester.
• Support with general kitchen tasks, keeping your workstation clean, organised, and in line with health and safety standards.
• Show initiative in dealing with special requests or adapting to daily challenges, always prioritising guest satisfaction.

What you’ll bring

Essential Skills and Experience

• A strong interest in food preparation, presentation, and quality.
• Willingness to learn and follow instructions carefully.
• Good timekeeping and a reliable, respectful approach to teamwork.
• An understanding of basic food hygiene practices and safe kitchen behaviour.
• Physical stamina and attention to detail required for a busy, fast-paced kitchen.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in a professional kitchen or catering environment is an advantage.
• Formal culinary training or completion of a relevant cookery course or apprenticeship.
• Familiarity with knife skills, food portioning, and plating techniques.
• A calm and proactive attitude during service, even under pressure.

What you’ll get

• Complimentary stays: Enjoy complimentary stays with breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels every year.
• Discounts: Get 50% off food and beverages at selected bars and restaurants within the Dorchester Collection. Enjoy Friends & Family stay discounts at hotels, and benefit from discounts at various high street and online shops.
• Employee Perks: Enrol from day 1 into the Aviva Private Pension scheme (we contribute 8% towards your pension). Benefit from seasonal ticket loan, rental deposit scheme, private financial advice, and eye‑care vouchers.
• Training and Development: Advance in your career by accessing various apprenticeships from Level 2 to Hospitality Degree Level 5. We partner with outstanding nationally recognised apprenticeship providers.
• Social Events: Participate in vibrant social events, including a summer party, winter ball, pub quizzes, and cultural and milestone recognition celebrations.
• Referral Bonus: Earn a £1,000 bonus when you recommend a friend.
• Well‑being Support: Access immediate well‑being advice because we care about our employees.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. If you need us to do anything to support you during the recruitment process (such as adjustments to how you apply, alternative formats of information, or adjustments to the assessment process itself), please do call the People & Culture team on 02073197011 or email [e-mail] so that we can discuss how we can support you through this process.