What Is a Commis Chef? [A Detailed Explanation Of The Role]

In commercial kitchens, commis chefs are familiar professionals. For those who want to become a professional chef, it’s a great role to start with. When searching about the culinary domain, aspiring chefs often come up, asking questions about it.

So, what is a commis chef? Commis chefs are junior chefs in a commercial kitchen establishment. They are entry-level staff members responsible for assisting senior chefs (typically chef de partie) with various tasks like cooking and cleaning. Commis chefs work in hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise lines, or catering companies.

Here in this blog post, we’ll delve into commis chef roles, qualifications, duties, and career opportunities. Before that, let’s take a look at the traditional kitchen hierarchy to make you understand the position of a commis in a culinary fraternity.

The Kitchen Hierarchy UK

To understand the position of a commis chef in a professional kitchen setup, it’s important to have a clear idea about what the hierarchy of a kitchen is.

An ideal commercial kitchen maintains a professional hierarchy. A proper chain of command is a sign of a successful kitchen setup; it shapes a kitchen environment. In a professional kitchen, this chain of command is called a “brigade de cuisine” or “kitchen brigade.”

Although the term originates from France, it spread internationally. The modern-day kitchen brigade structure is not as strict as it was when it was introduced. However, in the UK, most professional kitchens maintain it. The typical kitchen brigade has the following roles.

Executive Chef: The standard structure of a kitchen brigade has the executive chef, or chef executif, on the top. This role is responsible for managing the entire brigade and kitchen operations. 

Chef de cuisine: Next comes the head chef or the chef de cuisine. A head chef maintains day-to-day operations, including financing, liaising with suppliers, and managing staff.

Sous Chef: The next role in a kitchen hierarchy is the deputy head chef or sous chef. They are often called sous chefs. However, some kitchen establishments don’t have several executive head chefs. Therefore, the sous chef plays the second-in-command role.

Chef de partie: The chef de partie follows the sous chef. They are senior chefs responsible for maintaining a specific station, such as sauces, salads, mains, or desserts.

Commis Chef: Next comes the commis chef. They are responsible for assisting the chef de partie in preparing dishes. We’ll discuss more about their role later.

The lower positions in a kitchen hierarchy include kitchen porters, dishwashers, expeditors, and waitstaff.

What is a commis chef?

“Commis” is a French word meaning “assistant” or “clerk.” The term itself justifies the role enough. Basically, a commis chef is an assistant or a novice chef who works under the senior chef or chef de partie. In the kitchen, a commis chef prepares dishes, maintains a clean kitchen environment, and performs several other basic kitchen skills.

The commis chef is the most entry-level position in the kitchen brigade. Most of the commis are the ones who just finished their culinary training.

Although it might be a beginning position, the commis chef’s role is still significant. The commis chef handles basic jobs in the kitchen station so that the senior chef has more time to focus on intricate culinary tasks.

The core intention of a commis chef should be to support the chef de partie, acquire skills, and learn about kitchen decorum. With enough experience, expertise, and skill set, a commis chef can progress to the position of head chef in commercial kitchens.

Therefore, it’s a great position for newcomers who want to make a career in the culinary industry.

Commis chefs usually work in hotels, pubs, bars, restaurants, resorts, cruise ships, catering companies, and large facilities like hospitals or schools.

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What are commis chefs 1, 2, and 3?

There are three categories of commis chefs in a commercial kitchen. However, not all commercial kitchens follow the categories. Some kitchens have a commis chef role in general. Based on responsibilities and experience, commis chefs can be divided into three categories:

1. Commis Chef 1

2. Commis Chef 2

3. Commis Chef 3

Some kitchens use the 4th category of commis chefs, too, known as commis chef 4 or commis 4.

Commis chef 1

Commis Chef 1 or Commis 1 is known as the first cook in a kitchen establishment. Their position ranks higher than other commie categories because they are the most senior commies. 

Commis 1 responsibilities include assisting the chef de partie with complex dishes, seasoning, organising more ingredients, and supervising lower-level commis chefs. They play the lead role in the commis chef protocol.

Commis Chef 2

Next comes the commis 2 chef. Their responsibilities include handling complex dishes (simpler ones compared to the commis 1 dishes). Commis 2, or second cooks, handle ingredients, cook simple dishes, and support with plating.

Commis Chef 3

Commis chefs, or third cooks, are the most entry-level chefs in the kitchen brigade. Their responsibilities usually include very basic tasks like learning knife skills, preparing vegetables, and cleaning. All these tasks are done under close supervision.

The fourth cook, or commis chef 4, is hardly found in a kitchen hierarchy. However, if any kitchen hires a commis 4, they’ll be asked to do basic kitchen tasks.

Commis chef responsibilities

In a commercial-grade kitchen, commis chefs play varied roles. Their role isn’t limited to food preparation. They also help manage hygiene and stock records.

The roles and responsibilities can vary based on the first, second, and third chef levels. When talking about commis chef job responsibilities in general, supporting the station chef or chef de partie is their key task. Overall, a commis chef’s responsibilities include the following:

✔️ Preparing ingredients for the dish the chef de partie opts to cook. For example, cutting and preparing vegetables, fish, and meats.

✔️ Following each instruction from the station chef.

✔️ Helping other chefs with cooking tasks.

✔️Managing stock rotation.

✔️ With experience, like first or even second cook, they are permitted to cook simple dishes under the chef de partie’s supervision.

✔️ Keeping the kitchen environment clean and hygienic is also a crucial part of their job. They clean dishes, disinfect the kitchen, and maintain food safety standards. That includes checking the expiry dates of the ingredients.

✔️ Keeping track of the stocks and helping with delivery processing.

✔️Keeping the chef’s tools in good condition and knowing the ropes of new kitchen tools.

The commis chef’s responsibility depends on the chef de partie’s instructions. Since they work under the station chef’s supervision, commis chefs must follow their heads regarding kitchen maintenance.

Why do you want to be a commis chef?

A commis chef offers many perks, especially for those aiming to build their career in the culinary industry. You can gain many skills and fit yourself in a professional kitchen environment. Getting habituated to the industry protocol and environment is crucial to becoming a successful chef.

And there are flexible options available as a commissioned chef. For example, you can be recruited as a part-time commis or shift worker. 

Many commercial kitchens operate in split shifts, such as in the evenings or on weekends. So, it is possible not to be hired as a 9-5 employee and still develop your career in the culinary industry as a successful chef.

By becoming a commis chef, you can gain good time management and communication skills. You can also drastically improve your problem-solving and teamwork ability. Such a career path can take you to the peak position in the culinary industry. So why won’t you grab the opportunity?

How to become a commis chef?

Becoming a private chef or a pastry chef is significantly different from becoming a commis chef. So how does one become a commis chef? To become a commis chef in the UK, you can start by gaining basic culinary qualifications. A Level 2 or Level 3 Professional Cookery course or an apprenticeship in Professional Cookery is a common route, and these typically take 1 to 2 years to complete.

While formal education is a plus, many people begin in entry-level culinary roles, and this makes it easier to work as a commis chef. For example, having experience in kitchen roles like kitchen assistant or kitchen porter can help you gain basic culinary protocols and develop skills. This will make your way easier to become a commis chef.

Once you have enough experience and skills like essential food preparation skills, cooking techniques, and kitchen hygiene and safety best practices, then you can apply for the commis chef role. Not to mention, having a specific education qualification isn’t mandatory; having relevant experience and skills is a priority here. But gaining relevant training like food hygiene or cookery training will facilitate the process.

A commis chef job usually takes 1 to 2 years to master, depending on your experience and the path you choose.

So, the overall steps you need to become a commis chef are the following:

✅Obtain basic commis chef training like knife skills, time management, teamwork, plating and presentation, and food hygiene and safety.

✅Gain entry-level kitchen experience.

✅Apply for a commis chef position in a restaurant, hotel, or catering establishment.

✅Work in various sections of the kitchen, learning essential skills under senior chefs.

✅Develop cooking techniques, food preparation, and kitchen safety knowledge.

Commis chef career progression

Working as a commis chef offers great opportunities. With the right experience and showcasing proper support in the kitchen, a commis chef can be promoted to first commis chef, demi chef de partie, or even chef de partie. 

With more experience, training, and performance, becoming a sous chef or executive chef is possible. But this will take time, like years of experience.

During the commis chef career, you must develop the mindset to constantly learn and develop culinary etiquette and managerial skills. Only then can you progress quickly in this fast-paced profession.

Commis chef skills and qualifications

To become a commis chef, you need to be dedicated. You need to understand that it’s a specialised area for culinary professionals. Therefore, proper training is a must. The skills required to become a commis chef include knowledge of basic culinary skills, such as knife skills, preparing ingredients, and basic cooking methods.

However, having level 2 food safety training is a plus. So, before applying for a commis chef post in the UK, you should gain a certificate in food safety and hygiene.

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Having a basic culinary certificate will increase your chances of being hired as a commis chef. It’s not mandatory, though. The following skills are required to become a commis chef:

✔️  Great interpersonal and communication skills in both verbal and written form.

✔️ Great listening skills.

✔️ Have the ability to work in a team.

✔️ familiar with culinary equipment.

✔️ Knowledge of basic kitchen skills like chopping vegetables, processing meat, and making sauces.

✔️ Sense of hygiene. Ability to keep the kitchen clean.

✔️ Great level of attention to detail. Because through the commis chef career, you have to follow the instructions of senior chefs.

✔️ To be able to work under pressure.

✔️ Adaptability to work in a fast-paced environment.

✔️ Being passionate about cooking and interested in culinary arts is an advantage.

The skill set for working as a commis chef may slightly vary depending on the kitchen setting and supervisors. The skills mentioned above are more or less essential everywhere.

Here is a video showing basic and essential knife skills.

Commis chef salary in the UK

As mentioned earlier, there are different levels of commis chefs. The first cook will definitely be paid more because they have more experience and responsibility. However, unlike other regions in the UK, the salary range may differ based on experience, kitchen establishment, location, and responsibilities.

On average, the commis chef in the UK gets a salary of £20,000-£23000 per year. In this calculation, the first chefs are paid more. Cities with a higher cost of living pay more to commis chefs.

However, salaries in settings like luxury hotels or larger restaurants are significantly higher than those in smaller commercial kitchens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

The term “chef” covers a wide range of roles in the kitchen establishment. The commis chef is one of them. So, what is a commis chef? Commis chefs are professional junior chefs who work in novice roles in the kitchen setup. They work under the supervision of the chefs de partie.

This blog post elaborates on the topic for your convenience. If you are an enthusiast and want to grow in the sector, don’t forget to contact us for further information.