Commis Chef

Quest Employment; Little Berkhamsted; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday: 20 days + bank holidays

Free duty meals on shift

On-site gym and swimming pool

Free on-site parking

Structured career progression

Healthcare & Pension

Job summary

Quest Employment is seeking a passionate Commis Chef for a historic estate near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. This entry-level position offers exposure to banqueting, high-end restaurant service and café dining, with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients.

The ideal candidate has experience in fast-paced kitchens, strong teamwork and a commitment to hygiene and food safety. The role requires flexibility across shifts between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM and a valid driver with private transport.

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen environment.
• Enthusiastic team player with strong communication skills.
• High standard of personal hygiene and food safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Basic Food & Pastry Prep: assist in preparation and production of dishes, pastries, and desserts.
• Skill Development: learn new culinary techniques with senior chefs.
• Kitchen Support: keep workspace clean, sanitary and organized.
• Quality Control: follow recipes to maintain consistency and presentation.
• Stock & Inventory: help manage, restock and organize ingredients.

Skills

Fast-paced kitchen

Team player

Food safety awareness

Job description

?Location: Near Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Salary: £25,000 £27,000 per annum (Depending on Experience)

Hours: 5 days over 7 days a week shift rotation (Shifts between 6:00 AM 10:00 PM)

Position Type: Full-time, Permanent

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a passionate, entry-level Commis Chef to join a vibrant culinary team based at a prestigious historic estate near Hemel Hempstead.

Catering to a diverse array of dining experiencesincluding large-scale banqueting, barbecues, high-end restaurant service, and traditional café diningthe kitchen prides itself on using local, seasonal, and sustainable produce. This role offers the perfect environment to hone your craft, expand your culinary skill set, and build a strong career foundation under the guidance of experienced chefs.

Key Responsibilities

• Basic Food & Pastry Prep: Assist in the preparation and production of dishes, pastries, and desserts.

• Skill Development: Learn new culinary techniques and gain hands‑on experience alongside senior chefs.

• Kitchen Support: Maintain high standards of workspace cleanliness, sanitation, and kitchen organization.

• Quality Control: Follow precise recipes and instructions to maintain food consistency and presentation.

• Stock & Inventory: Help manage, restock, and organize ingredients and supplies as directed by senior staff.

Candidate Profile

• Previous experience in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen environment.

• Enthusiastic team player with strong communication skills.

• High standard of personal hygiene and food safety awareness.

• Flexible to cover a variety of shift patterns between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM across 7 days.

• Must be a driver with full access to private transport (due to the remote location near Hemel Hempstead, public transport options are limited for early morning and late evening shifts).

Benefits Package

• Holiday: 20 days paid annual leave + bank holidays.

• Perks: Free duty meals while on shift.

• Facilities: Free access to on-site gym and swimming pool.

• Parking: Free on-site parking.

• Development: Structured continuous career progression and skill development.

• Healthcare & Pension: Access to company pension and healthcare schemes.