Apprentice Commis Chef

Sodexo Group; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Perks at Work platform

Uniform & PPE provided

Wellbeing and mental health support

Learning and development opportunities

Support from culinary professionals

Exposure across Heritage Portfolio Ven

Diverse and supportive environment

Job summary

Heritage Portfolio, part of Sodexo Live!, is offering an Apprentice Commis Chef role at Edinburgh Zoo. The 12-month Modern Apprenticeship leads to a Diploma in Professional Cookery (SCQF Level 5) with practical kitchen experience and development across Heritage Portfolio venues and events.

You will learn to cook, prepare ingredients and present dishes while working with seasoned chefs in a busy kitchen environment.

Qualifications

• No prior professional kitchen experience required.
• Genuine interest in food and willingness to learn.
• Reliability and positive attitude are valued.
• Ability to work as part of a team and follow guidance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation, cooking and presentation of high-quality food.
• Work alongside experienced chefs across Heritage Portfolio venues.
• Follow food safety, hygiene and allergen procedures and maintain clean, safe kitchens.
• Support services for leisure, venues and events during busy periods.

Skills

Interest in food

Willingness to learn

Teamwork

Reliability

Positive attitude

Education

SCQF Level 5 Diploma in Professional Cookery

Job description

Apprentice Commis Chef – Modern Apprenticeship

Location: Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, EH12 6TS

Working hours: 40hrs per week

Working pattern: 5days over 7days

Salary: £13.45 per hour

Programme length: Approximately 12 months

Qualification: Diploma in Professional Cookery at SCQF Level 5

Start Your Culinary Career with Heritage Portfolio

Finished school or college? Passionate about food and interested in becoming a chef?

This is an opportunity to earn a wage, gain an industry-recognised qualification and develop practical kitchen skills within Heritage Portfolio, part of Sodexo Live!

As an Apprentice Commis Chef, you will work alongside experienced chefs across our leisure and event venues in Scotland. You will learn how to prepare, cook and present high-quality food while building the confidence, knowledge and experience needed to begin a successful career in hospitality.

You do not need to be an experienced chef. We are looking for someone with a genuine interest in food, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn.

About the Apprenticeship

You will work towards a Chef Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 5, delivered in partnership with MGT Training.

The programme is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete. Upon successful completion, you will achieve a Diploma in Professional Cookery at SCQF Level 5 (GV6X 45).

Most of your development will take place in the kitchen as part of your normal working week. You will learn through practical experience, supported by your manager, workplace team and apprenticeship trainer.

Alongside your day-to-day kitchen experience, you may also have opportunities to take part in:

• Culinary masterclasses
• Supplier visits
• Cohort learning activities
• Workplace assessments
• Experience supporting events and different hospitality services
• Additional culinary development opportunities

What You’ll Gain

• A fully supported Chef Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 5
• A Diploma in Professional Cookery at SCQF Level 5
• Paid experience within a professional kitchen team
• Practical training in food preparation, cooking and presentation
• Experience working across leisure, hospitality and event environments
• Support from experienced chefs, your manager and an apprenticeship trainer
• Opportunities to attend masterclasses, supplier visits and development activities
• The skills and confidence to progress your career with Heritage Portfolio and Sodexo

What You’ll Do Day to Day

You will work as part of a busy professional kitchen team, supporting the preparation and delivery of high-quality food for our customers, clients and event guests. Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing ingredients, dishes and menu items under the guidance of experienced chefs
• Washing, chopping, weighing and portioning ingredients
• Learning how to cook and present food to the required standard
• Following menus, recipes and portion controls
• Supporting food production and service across leisure venues and events
• Preparing kitchen and service areas before busy periods
• Following food safety, hygiene and allergen procedures
• Checking food temperatures, labelling products and rotating stock correctly
• Keeping kitchen areas clean, safe and organised
• Using kitchen equipment and cleaning materials safely
• Reporting damaged equipment or maintenance issues to your manager
• Completing apprenticeship learning, training and workplace assessments
• Continuing to develop your culinary knowledge, practical skills and confidence

What We’re Looking For

You do not need previous professional kitchen experience. What matters most is your attitude, reliability and interest in learning. We are looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine interest in food and developing a career as a chef
• Is willing to work towards the Chef Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF Level 5
• Is curious, motivated and happy to learn through practical experience
• Can listen to instructions and ask questions when support is needed
• Enjoys working as part of a team
• Can remain positive and helpful during busy services
• Takes pride in completing tasks carefully and to a good standard
• Understands the importance of punctuality, reliability and personal presentation
• Is willing to follow food safety, health and safety and hygiene procedures
• Can work flexibly to support the needs of the venue and its events

Previous experience, work experience or study in catering, hospitality or food preparation would be helpful, but it is not essential.

Who Is This Opportunity For?

This apprenticeship could be right for you if you:

• Age 16 to 19years old - In line with the Skills Development Scotland ‘Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy
• Have recently finished school or college and are deciding what to do next
• Want to earn money while gaining a recognised qualification
• Prefer practical learning to studying in a classroom full time
• Enjoy cooking, trying new foods or learning how dishes are made
• Want experience within leisure, events and professional hospitality
• Are looking for a supported first step into the workplace
• Want to build skills that could lead to a permanent chef position or further apprenticeship training

Perks of the Job

• “Perks at Work” platform, providing discounts on cinema, restaurants, retail and more
• Uniform and personal protective equipment provided
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Learning and development opportunities
• Support from experienced culinary professionals
• Opportunities to gain experience across Heritage Portfolio venues and events
• A diverse and supportive working environment where your development matters

About Heritage Portfolio and Sodexo

Heritage Portfolio is one of Scotland’s leading hospitality and event catering businesses. We create memorable food and hospitality experiences across some of the country’s most distinctive leisure, cultural and event venues.

As part of Sodexo Live!, we combine the creativity and personality of a specialist Scottish hospitality business with the career opportunities and support of a global organisation.

At Heritage Portfolio and Sodexo, you will be part of a team that values inclusion, development and helping people grow their careers from the very beginning.