At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist the kitchen team in food production and delight our guests with culinary creations.
- Company: Join the award-winning 45 Park Lane Hotel, a top workplace for three consecutive years.
- Benefits: Enjoy complimentary stays, discounts, pension contributions, and vibrant social events.
- Other info: Flexible shifts and a supportive culture that values diversity and well-being.
- Why this job: Kickstart your culinary career in a creative and inclusive environment with excellent training opportunities.
- Qualifications: Passion for cooking, teamwork skills, and a willingness to learn from experienced chefs.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Join us as a Casual Commis Chef at 45 Park Lane Hotel, recently recognised as one of ‘The Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work for’ in 2024, 2025 & 2026. We continually strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is part of our DNA, reflected in our values of passion, personality, respect, working together, and creativity. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our culture and drives our success. We care about your career and are proud to have the absolute best people in the industry.
When you join us as a Casual Commis Chef at 45 Park Lane Hotel, you will have a unique opportunity to excel in your field. You will learn from your fellow Legends and our award-winning learning academy to achieve the highest standards in craft, service, and leadership.
What you’ll do
As Casual Commis Chef, you will enjoy your work and take pride in delighting our guests:
- You will be responsible for assisting the kitchen team in their section to ensure the highest standards of food production.
- You will be responsible for participating in daily food preparations during your day. This will include portioning food products, utilising food surpluses to control food costs; and ensuring all food preparations meet outline recipes including portion size, quality and quantity to ensure our guests receive nothing but the best experience.
- You will also show flexibility and creativity in dealing with special requests and challenges that may arise during the day.
The operational hours of work are shift-based and may be subjected to change. These shifts are currently set as: 6am-3pm, 7am-4pm, 2pm-11pm, 3pm-12am.
What you’ll bring
Essential Skills and Experience
- Technical Skills
- Baking & Pastry Techniques - Understanding fundamental techniques like creaming, folding, and tempering chocolate.
- Knife & Precision Skills - Ability to cut, shape, and decorate pastries with accuracy.
- Ingredient Knowledge - Familiarity with flour types, dairy, and chocolate.
- Piping & Decoration - Basic proficiency in using piping bags for frosting, chocolate work, and garnishing.
- Plating & Presentation - Understanding how to create visually appealing plated desserts.
- Kitchen Experience
- Previous Training - culinary degree or diploma in pastry arts is beneficial but not required.
- Work Experience - Internships or experience in a bakery, hotel, or restaurant pastry section is beneficial but not required.
- Preferred Skills
- Attention to Detail - Precision in measurements and presentation.
- Time Management - Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Teamwork - Collaborating with other chefs and kitchen staff.
- Creativity - Contributing ideas for new pastry designs and flavours.
- Adaptability - Handling different pastry tasks and learning from senior chefs.
What you’ll get
- Complimentary Stays: Enjoy complimentary stays with breakfast at Dorchester Collection Hotels every year.
- Discounts: Get 50% off food and beverages at selected bars and restaurants within the Dorchester Collection; enjoy Friends & Family stay discounts at our hotels; benefit from discounts at various high street and online shops.
- Employee Perks: Enrol from day 1 into the Aviva Private Pension scheme (we contribute 8% towards your pension); benefit from seasonal ticket loan, rental deposit scheme, private financial advice, and eye care vouchers.
- Training and Development: Advance in your career by accessing various apprenticeships from Level 2 to Hospitality Degree Level 5. We partner with outstanding nationally recognised Apprenticeship providers.
- Social Events: Participate in vibrant social events, including a summer party, winter ball, pub quizzes, and cultural and milestone recognition celebrations.
- Referral Bonus: Earn a £1000 bonus when you recommend a friend.
- Well-being Support: Access immediate well-being advice because we care about our employees.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. If you need us to do anything to support you during the recruitment process (such as adjustments to how you apply, alternative formats of information, or adjustments to the assessment process itself), please do call the People & Culture team on 02073197011 or email PeopleAndCultureLondon.UK@dorchestercollection.com so that we can discuss how we can support you through this process.
Commis Chef employer: 45 Park Lane
At 45 Park Lane Hotel, we pride ourselves on being a top employer, recognised as one of ‘The Sunday Times Top 10 Best Places to Work’ for three consecutive years. Our inclusive work culture fosters creativity and collaboration, providing exceptional training and development opportunities through our award-winning learning academy. With generous employee benefits such as complimentary hotel stays, discounts, and well-being support, we are dedicated to nurturing your career while ensuring you enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding experience in the culinary arts.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commis Chef
✨Get Involved in Local Events
Check out foodie festivals, farmers' markets, and local fairs in your area. These are perfect opportunities to meet restaurant owners and managers face-to-face, and they often look for part-time help during busy seasons.
✨Join Hospitality Groups
Connect with local hospitality groups on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. These communities frequently post about part-time job openings that aren’t advertised elsewhere, plus it’s a great way to engage with the food scene in your area!
✨Show Up in Person
For part-time roles in the hospitality sector, don't underestimate the power of a walk-in. Grab your best smile and pop into local cafés or restaurants with your CV in hand. It shows initiative and can really make you stand out!
✨Apply Through Our Website!
Don’t forget to check out the openings at 45 Park Lane and apply directly through our website! We love seeing friendly faces and you’ll be surprised how many part-time roles pop up that may not be listed on job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Commis Chef
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality and food service industry, showcasing your customer service experience is key. Be sure to highlight relevant roles in your CV or cover letter where you’ve directly engaged with customers—this could be from previous waitressing, barista jobs, or any roles that involved teamwork and communication. You want to convince us at 45 Park Lane that you can keep it cool under pressure!
Certifications Matter:If you’ve got any hospitality-related certifications—like food safety or first aid—definitely mention those! Including these credentials can set you apart from other applicants. It shows us that you're serious about the health and safety standards we maintain here at 45 Park Lane.
Flexibility is Your Friend:Since this is a part-time role, we’re looking for someone who can work various shifts. In your application, it’s useful to outline your availability clearly. Make it easy for us to see when you can jump in and help out—this shows that you’re committed and ready to adapt!
Let Your Personality Shine:In hospitality, personality plays a vital role. Use your cover letter to share why you’re passionate about food service and what brings you joy in helping customers. A personal touch can make your application memorable and help us at 45 Park Lane get a sense of who you are beyond your experience!
How to prepare for a job interview at 45 Park Lane
✨Show Off Your People Skills
In hospitality, your ability to work with customers and team members is crucial. Be prepared to share stories that highlight your experience in handling customer service situations, especially any tricky ones. We want to hear how you turned a potentially negative experience into a positive one!
✨Know the Menu Inside Out
You might get quizzed on the menu items or asked about your favourite dishes. Brush up on any special offerings at 45 Park Lane and demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for their food. This shows you’re not just looking for any job, but you’re genuinely excited about working with their team.
✨Flexibility is Key
As you're going for a part-time role, emphasise your availability and willingness to work various shifts. Mention any instances where you've gone above and beyond for scheduling or helped out during busy times. This flexibility can make you stand out from the crowd!
✨Role-Play Scenarios
Be ready for role-play scenarios during your interview! Employers love to see how you handle on-the-spot situations, like dealing with a dissatisfied customer or managing a specific request from a patron. Practising these scenarios with friends can help boost your confidence.
