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- Tasks: Join our culinary team and prepare fresh, high-quality meals for service personnel.
- Company: Dynamic culinary team at RAF Honington, part of Compass Group UK&I.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Achieve a Level 2 Commis Chef qualification and grow your career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while learning from experienced chefs in a unique environment.
- Qualifications: No experience needed; just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 1000 - 1500 ÂŁ per month.
Salary/Hourly Rate: ÂŁ12.25 per hour
Location: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, IP31 1EE
Reporting to: Service Delivery Manager
Hours/Working Pattern: 35 hours per week
Contractual Requirements: Candidates must be aged 18+, DBS Check required
Join Our Team as an Apprentice Commis Chef - Suffolk
We’re excited to be recruiting an ambitious Apprentice Commis Chef (Level 2) to join our dynamic culinary team at Suffolk. This is a 35‑hour, fixed‑term apprenticeship, offering a fantastic opportunity to learn, grow, and make a real impact in a truly unique environment.
About Suffolk
Home to around 1,600 personnel—including RAF, Army, MOD Civil Servants, and Contractors—RAF Honington plays a vital role in supporting global RAF Police and RAF Regiment operations. The Station delivers initial and advanced training for RAF Regiment and RAF Police personnel, as well as pre‑deployment preparation for RAF teams worldwide.
Why Join Us?
As an Apprentice Chef, you’ll work alongside an experienced and supportive brigade, gaining hands‑on experience while working towards your nationally recognised qualification. You’ll be preparing fresh, high‑quality meals that fuel and support the work of service personnel—making this a role where your contribution truly matters.
What You’ll Gain:
- Expert, structured training as part of your Level 2 Commis Chef apprenticeship
- Coaching and mentorship from a skilled and passionate kitchen team
- Experience within a fast‑paced, meaningful catering environment
- Opportunities to grow your career within a company that invests in its people
- Recognition and rewards for your hard work and commitment
No experience? No problem. Full training is provided, making this the perfect first step into a professional catering career.
If you’re enthusiastic, eager to learn, and ready to start building your future as a chef, we’d love to hear from you.
On completion of the Apprenticeship, you will achieve the Commis Chef L2 and become a qualified commis chef.
Your Key Responsibilities Will Include:
- Adhere to all client and company Health & Safety policies and procedures at all times, e.g. Food Handling, Manual Handling, Fire procedures.
- Complete, maintain and update all Food Safety and Health & Safety paperwork
- Maintain the cleanliness of all kitchens and surrounding working areas ensuring Health and Safety hazards, issues, near misses and accidents are reported to your line Manager at the earliest opportunity.
- Provide the highest level of customer service by role modelling the ESS Way values and behaviours at all times to colleagues, customers and clients.
- Ensure the recovery and storage of food, and that correct labelling procedures are followed.
- Attend and conduct regular training as directed by your line Manager according to the requirements of the company.
- Follow all waste control procedures using the Food Production Process (FPP) guidelines.
Our Ideal Apprentice Will:
- Basic food preparation and cooking skills
- Understanding of kitchen hygiene and food safety
- Ability to follow instructions and recipes accurately
- Teamwork and communication skills
- Time management and the ability to work under pressure
- Attention to detail in food quality and presentation
- Reliability and good work ethic
- Willingness to learn and develop professionally
- Enthusiastic and motivated with a genuine interest in cooking and the hospitality industry.
We ensure you’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package including (but not limited to):
- Financial wellbeing programme and preferred rates on salary finance products
- Aviva Digicare - Free annual healthcare check
- Medicash - Discounted health cash plan providing cashback on a range of medical treatments including Dental, Optical and Consultant appointments for you and your family
- Pension scheme and Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Holiday purchase scheme
- Sharebuy Scheme
- Recognition awards including Be a Star peer recognition and Long Service Awards
- Employee networks created and led by employees for employees
- Exclusive Benefits & Wellbeing site (Perks at Work)
- Entertainment, Health & Wellbeing and Travel discounts
- Shopping discounts - Save up to 15% at high street and online stores by purchasing Shopping Cards
- Vodafone discounts
- Ongoing training & development and career pathway
Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector.
We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
As part of Compass you’ll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK’s biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a short questionnaire and participate in a screening call to determine your eligibility for apprenticeship funding in line with the Department for Education funding rules. This is a mandatory step of the application process to ensure that you meet the criteria for apprenticeship funding.
Please note: We reserve the right to remove this advert prior to the advertised date, dependent on the level of response received. You are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.
Apprentice Chef - Suffolk employer: Compass Group UK & I - Apprenticeship Program
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK & I - Apprenticeship Program Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Chef - Suffolk
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research their values and mission, especially since you're applying for a role that supports service personnel. This will help you tailor your conversation during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your cooking skills! Even if you’re new to the kitchen, try whipping up some dishes at home. This not only boosts your confidence but also gives you something to talk about when asked about your culinary interests.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former apprentices! They can provide insider tips on what to expect and how to shine in your application process. Plus, they might even have some connections that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the company, making it easier to prepare for interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Chef - Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Cooking: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for cooking shine through! Share why you want to be a chef and what excites you about working in a kitchen. We love seeing genuine interest!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to match the job description. Highlight any relevant skills or experiences that align with what we're looking for in an Apprentice Chef. It shows us you’ve done your homework!
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we appreciate creativity, clarity is key! Make your application easy to read by using simple language and clear formatting. This helps us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK & I - Apprenticeship Program
✨Know Your Ingredients
Before the interview, brush up on your culinary knowledge. Familiarise yourself with basic cooking techniques, food safety standards, and kitchen hygiene practices. This will show your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to learning.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for cooking shine through. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your interest in the culinary arts. Employers love to see candidates who are genuinely excited about the industry!
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few questions to ask your interviewer about the apprenticeship programme and the team you'll be working with. This demonstrates your eagerness to learn and helps you gauge if the environment is the right fit for you.
✨Dress the Part
Even though it's an interview for a kitchen role, make sure to dress smartly. A clean, professional appearance shows respect for the opportunity and indicates that you take the role seriously. Plus, it sets a positive tone for the meeting!