Apprentice Chef

The Black Horse Inn

LOUTH (LN11 9TJ)

Closes in 11 days (Sunday 11 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 25 April 2025

Print

Contents

Summary

Join The Black Horse Inn as an Apprentice Chef and gain hands-on experience in a busy, professional kitchen. Work with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and learn from a skilled Head Chef. Develop core techniques, understand dietary requirements, allergen awareness, and kitchen standards – a brilliant first step into a professional culinary career

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

£7.55 per hour starting wage, to be reviewed as you learn and progress.

Training course
Commis chef (level 2)
Hours
Hours of work can vary slightly, and will be flexible between the opening times of: Wednesday to Saturday: 10.00 – 15.00 and 17.00 – 23.00 Sunday: 10.00 – 16.30 Monday – Closed Tuesday - Closed

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 19 May 2025

Duration

1 year 3 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

At The Black Horse Inn, we take great pride in delivering the best possible experience for our guests. We’re a family-run pub serving high-quality, locally sourced produce, with every dish cooked from scratch.

As our new Apprentice Chef, you’ll be fully supported and mentored as you develop a broad range of kitchen skills. With a regularly changing menu, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of techniques used to create both French-inspired dishes and classic British pub favourites.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Preparing fresh ingredients and dishes in line with recipes, portion control, and food safety regulations
  • Cooking and presenting a variety of dishes to a high standard under supervision
  • Supporting the Head Chef with daily service and contributing ideas for specials and menu development
  • Maintaining a clean, safe, and organised kitchen, including preparation and storage areas
  • Completing food safety and hygiene records accurately
  • Assisting with stock rotation, labelling, and deliveries
  • Using kitchen equipment safely and responsibly
  • Working as part of a close-knit team to deliver high-quality meals consistently
  • Participating in regular training to enhance your skills and knowledge
  • Upholding excellent personal hygiene, professionalism, and teamwork at all times
  • All other associated duties as required

Where you’ll work

MAIN ROAD
DONINGTON ON BAIN
LOUTH
LN11 9TJ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

TEC PARTNERSHIP

Your training course

Commis chef (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

Course contents
  • Contribute to reviewing and refreshing menus in line with business and customer requirements
  • Use technology for the development and production of dishes and menu items in line with business procedures and guidelines to achieve the best result
  • Check food stocks, report on shortages, prioritise food that is close to expiry and keep the storage areas in good order
  • Prioritise tasks, ensuring food items meet the required quality standard and in the required time frame
  • Measure dish ingredients and portion sizes accurately
  • Use a range of craft preparation and basic cooking skills and techniques to prepare, cook and finish dishes and menu items in line with business requirements
  • Use correct knives and knife skills when preparing food and use the correct equipment when preparing, cooking and finishing food
  • Correctly store and use food items and commodities when preparing, cooking and finishing dishes to deliver a quality product that is safe for the consumer
  • Apply correct preparation and selection methods when using fresh produce in dishes
  • Complete preparation and cooking tasks to a high standard, delivered on time and presented as described within the recipe specification
  • Maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen environment at all times, complete kitchen documentation as required
  • Work with others to ensure dishes produced are of high quality, delivered on time and to the standard required
  • Choose methods of communication that achieve effective team working
  • Develop own skills and knowledge through training and experiences
  • Deal with team challenges and problems constructively to drive a positive outcome
  • Effectively manage resources to meet specifications and control waste
  • Follow safe systems of work reporting risks in the appropriate manner
  • Contribute to reviewing and refreshing menus in line with business and customer requirements
  • Use technology for the development and production of dishes and menu items in line with business procedures and guidelines to achieve the best result
  • Check food stocks, report on shortages, prioritise food that is close to expiry and keep the storage areas in good order
  • Prioritise tasks, ensuring food items meet the required quality standard and in the required time frame
  • Measure dish ingredients and portion sizes accurately
  • Use a range of craft preparation and basic cooking skills and techniques to prepare, cook and finish dishes and menu items in line with business requirements
  • Use correct knives and knife skills when preparing food and use the correct equipment when preparing, cooking and finishing food
  • Correctly store and use food items and commodities when preparing, cooking and finishing dishes to deliver a quality product that is safe for the consumer
  • Apply correct preparation and selection methods when using fresh produce in dishes
  • Complete preparation and cooking tasks to a high standard, delivered on time and presented as described within the recipe specification
  • Maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen environment at all times, complete kitchen documentation as required
  • Work with others to ensure dishes produced are of high quality, delivered on time and to the standard required
  • Choose methods of communication that achieve effective team working
  • Develop own skills and knowledge through training and experiences
  • Deal with team challenges and problems constructively to drive a positive outcome
  • Effectively manage resources to meet specifications and control waste
  • Follow safe systems of work reporting risks in the appropriate manner

Your training plan

  • Our Commis Chef Level 2 Apprenticeship has a college day-release, which you can attend at either or The Grimsby Institute (Nuns Corner, Grimsby) or Skegness TEC (Wainfleet Road in Skegness)
  • You’ll complete master class sessions to learn to cook and prepare a wide range of different dishes, including seafood, offal, game, meat and fish. A dedicated Vocational Trainer will also visit you at work, on average once every 6 weeks, to establish a personal learning and development plan, outlining a schedule of training activities and objectives
  • You will complete a mixture of on and off the job training, including workshops, face to face training and working towards creating a portfolio of relevant practical evidence. You’ll also be supported by the Head Chef and your colleagues at all times, and will be mentored and trained constantly. This type of practical learning is a great way to train to become a Chef, and you’ll learn a huge amount in a short time
  • You will have a review every 8-12 weeks with your Head Chef and Trainer to discuss your progress

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience
  • Keen to learn
  • Awareness of food safety
  • Friendly and outgoing
  • Interested to become a Chef

Other requirements

The Black Horse Inn is located in the rural village of Donnington on Bain – Main Road, Donington on Bain, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9TJ. Please check the location and ensure you would be able to reliably travel to and from work on a daily basis. This apprenticeship runs on a day-release model, with one day of college attendance each week (in term-time). You can attend the day release college sessions at either The Grimsby Institute, Nuns Corner, Grimsby, DN34 5BQ, or our new Skegness College on Wainfleet Road, Skegness. We have a free college bus service, which runs from the following locations - https://grimsby.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GIFHE-TRANSPORT-TIMETABLE-24.25-MASTER.pdf

About this company

The Black Horse Inn is a charming 18th-century country pub with rooms, nestled in the picturesque village of Donington on Bain in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). A family run pub, owned and managed by Adam and Victoria Garnade since 2015, the inn is known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and strong ties to the local community. - - Adam, a classically trained chef with experience across the UK and Europe, leads the kitchen with a passion for using fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The menu changes regularly and includes daily specials, offering a fantastic opportunity to learn a wide range of techniques and styles. The pub is also known for its excellent real ales and wines, with produce from nine local microbreweries regularly featured. - With eight comfortable en-suite rooms, the inn is popular with visitors exploring the area, attending local events, or visiting attractions such as Cadwell Park and Market Rasen Racecourse. The Black Horse prides itself on exceptional food, great service, and a supportive team environment. For an aspiring Chef, this is a fantastic opportunity to train under an experienced Head Chef and become part of a close-knit, passionate team in a thriving rural business.

http://blackhorse-donington.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • This apprenticeship programme provides a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to build a strong foundation of practical cookery skills
  • The apprenticeship will lead to a permanent job role for the right candidates

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TEC PARTNERSHIP

Helena Gollings

myapprenticeship@grimsby.ac.uk

01472 311222

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000317037.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Sunday 11 May 2025 at 11:59pm)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.