apprentice chef

Compass Group PLC; Northampton; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the UK is looking for an ambitious apprentice chef to create exceptional food experiences. You will work full-time, 40 hours per week, in a dynamic team environment. This role involves tasks from food preparation to supporting chefs in cooking and presentation. Ideal candidates have GCSEs in English and Maths, possess strong communication skills, and are passionate about culinary arts. This apprenticeship provides an excellent opportunity to learn essential kitchen skills.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be aged 18+ due to insurance purposes.
• Strong communication skills are essential for teamwork.
• Patience and attention to detail are important in a kitchen environment.

Responsibilities

• Help set up the kitchen for daily operations.
• Follow recipes and instructions precisely under supervision.
• Plate and garnish dishes while maintaining hygiene standards.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Customer care skills

Team working

Creativity

Patience

Education

GCSE in English (grade 4)

GCSE in Maths (grade 4)

Job description

We're currently recruiting for an ambitious apprentice chef to help us create exceptional food experiences for Venue Collection on a full-time basis contracted to 40 hours per week. As an apprentice chef you will be working in a passionate and hard‑working team to create an outstanding culinary experience for our customers.

Responsibilities

• Help set up the kitchen
• Gather and organise ingredients for the day's menu
• Clean and sanitise workstations and equipment
• Prepare basic items (chopping vegetables, peeling potatoes, etc.)
• Support chefs in preparing and cooking dishes
• Follow recipes and instructions precisely
• Measure ingredients accurately
• Plate and garnish dishes under supervision
• Wash dishes, utensils, and kitchen tools
• Keep work areas tidy and organised
• Dispose of food waste properly
• Sanitise surfaces regularly
• Check inventory and inform chefs of low supplies
• Assist in receiving and storing deliveries
• Rotate stock (first in, first out) to ensure freshness
• Observe and learn different cooking techniques
• Ask questions and seek feedback from senior chefs
• Practice basic knife skills and food preparation
• Communicate effectively with kitchen staff
• Help other team members as needed
• Follow all safety and hygiene standards
• Assist in cleaning and shutting down the kitchen
• Store leftover ingredients properly
• Prepare items needed for the next day, select correct knife for task.
• Uses knives effectively and efficiently.
• Selects ingredients of the right quality that support sustainability and seasonality.
• Weighs, measures, and scales ingredients.
• Cooks from fresh producing complete dishes.
• Prepares, cooks, and finishes meat, offal, game, poultry, fish, and shellfish from whole; trim, de‑vein, portion, break down, bone, skin, fillet, shell.
• 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.
• Stuffs, fills and panés across food types.
• Prepares and cooks dishes using alternative ingredients e.g. 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.
• Sears, grills, deep fries, shallow fries, stir fries, sautés, braises, stews, bakes, roasts, boils, poaches across food types.
• 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.

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

Qualifications and Requirements

• GCSE in: English (grade 4)
• GCSE in: Maths (grade 4)
• Communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Non judgemental
• Patience
• Candidates must be aged 18+ (due to insurance purposes), no good transport links, ideally candidate would have driving licence and own transport.