Commis Chef

Leonardo Hotel Management (UK) Limited; Southampton; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room discounts

Recognition scheme

Talent referral

Thank You Week

Wellbeing calendar

Training & progression

Job summary

Leonardo Hotel Management (UK) Limited is seeking a committed Commis Chef to join our kitchen team. You will deliver memorable guest experiences, assist with food preparation to ensure timely, high‑quality dishes, and maintain menu knowledge.

The role supports learning opportunities and progression within Leonardo Hotels. The position involves upholding hygiene and safety standards, managing resources, and working closely with senior chefs to ensure smooth service.

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for delivering memorable moments to guests.
• Positive approach to changing service environments and priorities.
• Pro-active with a hands-on approach to delivering consistent results.
• Embrace the Leonardo Hotels’ Guest Care culture; be empowered to work on your own initiative.
• Friendly team player with the ability to work effectively and efficiently with others.
• Confident communicator willing to make suggestions for improvements, and open to feedback from colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Offer exceptional guest care at all times.
• Assist in preparing food items, ensuring dishes are prepared promptly and meet quality standards.
• Maintain good knowledge of the menu.
• Minimise food and energy wastage through proper control methods, ensuring all equipment, lights, etc. are turned off when not in use.
• Keep all kitchen equipment in good working order and report any equipment issues to the senior chef on duty.
• Keep the department ready for business operations, ensuring kitchen is set up prior to service, and all areas have the required equipment and products.
• Utilise all relevant systems correctly to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Adhere to Company policies, Code of Conduct, procedures and relevant legislation at all times - including, but not limited to, Data Protection and Health and Safety regulations; this role requires particular adherence to hygiene, COSHH and HACCP.
• Complete any other reasonable request made by a member of the management team or a supervisor

Skills

Guest care

Team player

Communication

Proactive

Adaptable

Job description

Be Yourself - Be a Bold Team Player - Be Leonardo

Once you're part of the team, you're part of the Leonardo community of over 55 hotels across the UK & Ireland!

Main Tasks

• Offer exceptional guest care at all times
• Assist in preparing food items, ensuring dishes are prepared promptly and meet quality standards
• Maintain good knowledge of the menu
• Minimise food and energy wastage through proper control methods, ensuring all equipment, lights, etc. are turned off when not in use
• Keep all kitchen equipment in good working order and report any equipment issues to the senior chef on duty
• Keep the department ready for business operations, ensuring kitchen is set up prior to service, and all areas have the required equipment and products
• Utilise all relevant systems correctly to complete tasks in a timely manner
• Adhere to Company policies, Code of Conduct, procedures and relevant legislation at all times - including, but not limited to, Data Protection and Health and Safety regulations; this role requires particular adherence to hygiene, COSHH and HACCP
• Complete any other reasonable request made by a member of the management team or a supervisor

Person Specification

• Genuine passion for delivering memorable moments to guests
• Positive approach to changing service environments and priorities
• Pro‑active with a hands‑on approach to delivering consistent results
• Embrace the Leonardo Hotels’ Guest Care culture; be empowered to work on your own initiative
• Friendly team player with the ability to work effectively and efficiently with others
• A confident communicator willing to make suggestions for improvements, and open to feedback from colleagues
• Engaged with hotel initiatives to support the local community

Measurable Performance Indicators

• Demonstrating the Company vision, mission and values when interacting with colleagues and guests
• Customer reviews
• Achieving agreed KPIs
• Fulfilment of the job skills checklist
• Customer satisfaction scores e.g. Booking.com
• Regular review meetings with line manager

Available Ongoing Learning

NOTE: The learning opportunities listed above are correct at the time of issue and are subject to change. You must speak with your line manager if you are interested in pursuing any training courses or programmes.

• GROWonline BELONG induction and development courses
• Academy Technical skills training
• Team Coach
• 'Come Join Us' Guest Care training
• Opportunity to apply for internal development programmes, such as:

• Junior Chef Development programme
• Graduate programme
• Level 2 Apprenticeships in Hospitality

Some of the perks our Commis Chef could enjoy include:

• Special rates on Leonardo Hotel rooms across the UK & Europe
• Company-wide recognition scheme: you could earn vouchers to spend on a wide range of high street shops
• Talent referral scheme
• Thank You Week: from ice cream trucks to yoga classes and lots in between!
• Wellbeing Calendar
• Ongoing job-related training programmes with clear paths for progression

We're committed to creating a workplace where every individual - regardless of background, identity, or lived experience is welcomed, valued, and respected for who they are. Belonging means embracing our differences and ensuring everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered.

Why come join us as a Commis Chef? We look after our colleagues just as well as we look after our guests. Our regular Learning Bites, "Come Join Us Guest Care" training and Wellbeing webinars all help your progress with us. With support on tap, top-notch practical training and clear progression you'll be on track for a brilliant future in Hospitality! At Leonardo Hotels, our vision is very simple: to be the first choice for everyone who values genuine hospitality! We are a Disability Confident Employer and a member of the Valuable 500. We partner with social enterprises to change attitudes towards disability, and provide opportunities ensuring everyone is able to fulfil their potential at work.