Do you need qualifications to be a Commis Chef?

Are you keen to get into the world of cheffing but don’t yet have tonnes of experience? 

Working as a Commis Chef is a brilliant way to get your foot in the door of the restaurant industry—and we have lots of opportunities for you at Parkdean.

Here at Parkdean, we have jobs for chefs of all levels, from Commis Chef and Sous Chef to Head Chef and Chef De Partie.

But before we get into all of that, you might have some questions:

What is a Commis Chef, exactly—and can you be a Commis Chef with no experience?

This blog will not only offer you a solid Commis Chef definition but will also fill you in on what qualifications you need to be a Commis Chef. If you’re keen to jump into a cheffing or hospitality career, we’ll also tell you where to find Commis Chef jobs with us.

Let’s go!

Life as Commis Chef: What you need to know

Commis Chef definition

A Commis Chef is an entry-level kitchen team member whose job it is to support the higher-level chefs. Their tasks usually include things like prepping, sticking to recipes outlined by the head chef, tracking waste, and making sure the kitchen stays clean.

Commis chefs usually aren’t tied to one particular station, they rotate through different ones, helping wherever relief is needed. This is why gaining experience as a Commis Chef is a super way of learning about lots of different cheffing positions.

Can you be a Commis Chef with no experience?

So, to answer your burning question: 

You don’t necessarily need a formal cheffing qualification to get a job as a Commis Chef—although some people do go down that route. Some Commis Chefs came to their role by first gaining some experience in an apprenticeship. 

However, you don’t need to have this in advance of applying for a job with us. We offer apprenticeship opportunities to you once you get here, if you want to grow your skills—keep reading for more info on that.

Ultimately, your passion for cooking and ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen is what will make you stand out to a potential employer.

Extra brownie points if you have basic knife handling and food prep skills, and are naturally someone who’s timely and pays attention to little details. These are all skills and attributes that will help you thrive in a Commis Chef job.

Career progression from a Commis Chef at Parkdean

Because the work of a Commis Chef can potentially be quite varied, it’s a perfect springboard for your eventual career progression.

As a Commis Chef, you’re responsible for sticking to the recipes outlined by the Head Chef. 

But if you’re someone who is motivated to experiment with flavours and create your own recipes, then you might be dreaming of progressing to a Head Chef position yourself. In this case, gaining experience as a Commis Chef is a strong place to start.

When the day finally comes, we’ve also got lots of helpful advice for you when you’re preparing for your Head Chef interview.

Training and development at Parkdean

Here at Parkdean, we’re all about giving our staff every opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive at work. That’s why we invest in you—offering training and development programmes to anyone who’s motivated to expand their skill sets.

From group training workshops in management to cheffing apprenticeships, there are so many ways that you can level up your skills when you come to work as a Commis Chef at one of our resorts.

Find your perfect Commis Chef job

Are you feeling excited about pursuing a job as a Commis Chef? Take the plunge and start exploring available vacancies at Parkdean Resorts, or read other blogs to see the variety of careers we have available. 

Want to know more about what it’s really like to work with us? Our employee engagement survey speaks volumes—and paints a specific picture of our staff’s favourite things about working at Parkdean.