Apprentice Chef

Summary

We have an exciting opportunity for you to join the University of Oxford as an Apprentice Chef. If you are looking for a new career opportunity to join a renowned business at an exciting period, then this role is for you!

Wage

£25,331 a year

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Training course

Commis chef (level 2)

Hours

36.5 Hours 5 days out of 7 Rota Shifts between 6.30am - 9.30pm

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

1 year 10 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

You will work with the kitchen team in all aspects of kitchen based mainly at: Rewley House and occasionally working at Ewert House, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7DD. Working under close supervision, the Apprentice Chef will assist with food preparation and general kitchen duties, developing skills across various sections of the kitchen. The role requires a commitment to high food standards, hygiene practices, and efficient service delivery in line with business demands. Responsibilities include preparing meals to specification, maintaining cleanliness, minimising food waste, and participating in stock management and food safety procedures. Flexibility, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn are key to success in this role, which also involves occasional kitchen porter duties and active participation in training and staff meetings.

The catering operation takes place on two sites:

·Rewley House, which is the main site of the Department. Breakfast and lunch is served here on a daily basis. Dinner is offered here, depending on business requirements.

·Ewert House, Summertown – the Department runs a number of courses at Ewert House, some of which require catering.

Main duties & responsibilities of the role

·To prepare food to the standard set out by the Head Chef.

·Work to deadlines to assist the team in the prompt service of all meals and services, at the required times, to the clients’ standards of satisfaction.

·Work in all areas/sections of the kitchen to develop a good working knowledge of each.

·Ensure all areas are clean and tidy at all times with particular attention at the end of service.

·Minimise food waste.

·Put away food deliveries, checking the quality of food products delivered and reporting any discrepancies to the Department and supplier.

·When necessary and rostered or requested to do so, carry out kitchen porter duties such as washing and cleaning kitchen equipment and restaurant service china, cutlery and glassware.

·Attend all staff meetings and training courses as requested.

·Assist in ensuring the security of stores, cupboards and any other kitchen areas.

·Attend to any other reasonable requests by senior colleagues.

Health & safety

·Adhere to company and legal requirements.

·Ensure that you prepare all food to good hygiene levels.

·Ensure receipt, storage and handling of all food is done according to procedures, when taking responsibility for deliveries.

·Maintain full compliance with the Food Standards Safety Guidelines-Safer Food Better Business for Caterers.

·Assist in maintaining correct procedures for all stores and store rooms – including stock rotation.

·Complete all necessary paperwork regarding temperature control when preparing food.

·To ensure that standards of personal hygiene are followed at all times.

Enquiries about the vacancy to, Mark Bedford mark.bedford@conted.ox.ac.uk or Debbie Pennington debbie.pennington@inspirolearning.co.uk

Where you'll work

Rewley House
Wellington Square
Oxford
OX1 2JA

Training

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

College or training organisation

INSPIRO LEARNING LIMITED

Your training course

Commis chef (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Selects correct knife for task.
Uses knives effectively and efficiently.
Selects ingredients of the right quality that support sustainability and seasonality.
Weighs, measures, and scales ingredients.
Cooks from fresh producing complete dishes.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes meat, offal, game, poultry, fish, and shellfish from whole; trim, de-vein, portion, break down, bone, skin, fillet, shell.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes fruit vegetables.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes sauces.
Prepares, cooks and finishes pureed and cream soup and stock based dishes.
Prepares and cooks noodles, and fresh or convenience pasta.
Prepares and cooks pulses and grains, including long and short grain rice.
Prepares, cooks and finishes eggs or egg based dishes.
Prepares, cooks and finishes leavened and unleavened dough products.
Prepares, cooks and finishes sweet and savoury pastry products using short, sweet, and choux.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes scones, biscuits, sponge cakes, and non-sponge cakes.
Prepares, produces, and finishes hot and cold desserts.
Stuffs, fills and panés across food types.
Prepares and cooks dishes using alternative ingredients eg plant based, gluten free.
Prepares fresh ingredients, including from whole, using them across a menu to reduce waste and improve sustainability
Uses seasoning, spices, rubs, and marinades to flavour ingredients.
Sears, grills, deep fries, shallow fries, stir fries, sautés, braises, stews, bakes, roasts, boils, poaches across food types.
Portions, plates, finishes, garnishes, and presents individual dishes.
Exercises portion control and acts to maximise yield.
Achieves intended quality in terms of texture, flavour, and appearance
Identifies and resolves errors during the production process.
Assists in the resolution of feedback, complaints, and issues.
Prepares, cleans and uses manual and electrical food-preparation and cooking equipment and machinery safely, correctly and efficiently.
Applies food safety and allergen procedures, including monitoring temperatures, during preparation, cooking, and holding.
Selects and applies hygiene management techniques to maintain a safe clean work environment, including personal hygiene, PPE, and uniform.
Complies with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
Undertakes stock control, storage, and rotation.
Applies food safety and allergen procedures, and monitors and records food temperatures, on delivery and in storage.
Follows equity, diversity and inclusion legislation and organisational policies.
Uses techniques for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing to support self and others, including asking for and giving help with daily tasks.
Communicates with colleagues, manager and other stakeholders in a professional manner.
Works as part of a team to support service delivery.
Uses feedback to improve own performance.
Manages own time to ensure tasks are completed.
Selects correct knife for task.
Uses knives effectively and efficiently.
Selects ingredients of the right quality that support sustainability and seasonality.
Weighs, measures, and scales ingredients.
Cooks from fresh producing complete dishes.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes meat, offal, game, poultry, fish, and shellfish from whole; trim, de-vein, portion, break down, bone, skin, fillet, shell.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes fruit vegetables.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes sauces.
Prepares, cooks and finishes pureed and cream soup and stock based dishes.
Prepares and cooks noodles, and fresh or convenience pasta.
Prepares and cooks pulses and grains, including long and short grain rice.
Prepares, cooks and finishes eggs or egg based dishes.
Prepares, cooks and finishes leavened and unleavened dough products.
Prepares, cooks and finishes sweet and savoury pastry products using short, sweet, and choux.
Prepares, cooks, and finishes scones, biscuits, sponge cakes, and non-sponge cakes.
Prepares, produces, and finishes hot and cold desserts.
Stuffs, fills and panés across food types.
Prepares and cooks dishes using alternative ingredients eg plant based, gluten free.
Prepares fresh ingredients, including from whole, using them across a menu to reduce waste and improve sustainability
Uses seasoning, spices, rubs, and marinades to flavour ingredients.
Sears, grills, deep fries, shallow fries, stir fries, sautés, braises, stews, bakes, roasts, boils, poaches across food types.
Portions, plates, finishes, garnishes, and presents individual dishes.
Exercises portion control and acts to maximise yield.
Achieves intended quality in terms of texture, flavour, and appearance
Identifies and resolves errors during the production process.
Assists in the resolution of feedback, complaints, and issues.
Prepares, cleans and uses manual and electrical food-preparation and cooking equipment and machinery safely, correctly and efficiently.
Applies food safety and allergen procedures, including monitoring temperatures, during preparation, cooking, and holding.
Selects and applies hygiene management techniques to maintain a safe clean work environment, including personal hygiene, PPE, and uniform.
Complies with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
Undertakes stock control, storage, and rotation.
Applies food safety and allergen procedures, and monitors and records food temperatures, on delivery and in storage.
Follows equity, diversity and inclusion legislation and organisational policies.
Uses techniques for maintaining good mental health and wellbeing to support self and others, including asking for and giving help with daily tasks.
Communicates with colleagues, manager and other stakeholders in a professional manner.
Works as part of a team to support service delivery.
Uses feedback to improve own performance.
Manages own time to ensure tasks are completed.

Your training plan

Level 2 Commis Chef Apprenticeship Standard
Apprenticeship standards are aimed at developing skills within the Apprentice’s chosen career route, each standard has set knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be successful within the job role. This will include the completion of functional skills in Maths and English. Once the apprentice has completed a minimum of 18 months training and the employer and Inspiro's Regional Trainer confirm they have met all the requirements of the standard they will be put through to end point assessment. The end point assessment is independent from the training and includes a variety of assessment methods which test the skills and knowledge of the apprentice to ensure they are fully competent in their role. Each Apprentice will be supported throughout the apprenticeship by a structured programme of teaching, e-learning, face to face training and workplace mentoring; this will encourage and help them to meet the requirements of the new standards and will prepare them for the end of point assessment.

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
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

This vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received and you may be invited to an interview before the closing date. Please ensure you apply early to avoid disappointment

About this company

Welcome to the University of Oxford. We aim to lead the world in research and education for the benefit of society both in the UK and globally. Oxford’s researchers engage with academic, commercial and cultural partners across the world to stimulate high-quality research and enable innovation through a broad range of social, policy and economic impacts. We believe our strengths lie both in empowering individuals and teams to address fundamental questions of global significance, while providing all our staff with a welcoming and inclusive workplace that enables everyone to develop and do their best work. Recognising that diversity is our strength, vital for innovation and creativity, we aspire to build a truly diverse community which values and respects every individual’s unique contribution. While we have long traditions of scholarship, we are also forward-looking, creative and cutting-edge. Oxford is one of Europe's most entrepreneurial universities and we rank first in the UK for university spin-outs, and in recent years we have spun out 15-20 new companies every year. We are also recognised as leaders in support for social enterprise. Join us and you will find a unique, democratic and international community, a great range of staff benefits and access to a vibrant array of cultural activities in the beautiful city of Oxford.

After this apprenticeship

This vacancy contract is for 2 years and 3 months.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

INSPIRO LEARNING LIMITED

Debbie Pennington

debbie.pennington@inspirolearning.co.uk

0116 504 0275

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000324951.

Apply now

Closes on Wednesday 23 July 2025

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