Chef de partie
Level 3 · AdvancedCatering and hospitality 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Chef de Partie apprenticeship develops the culinary skills needed to lead a section in a professional kitchen, such as the sauce, larder, pastry or grill section. Apprentices take responsibility for producing dishes to a consistently high standard and supervising junior kitchen staff. It can lead to sous chef, head chef or specialist culinary roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Advanced cooking techniques across multiple methods and cuisines
Menu planning and seasonal ingredient knowledge
Managing and developing junior kitchen team members
Cost control, portion management and kitchen yields
Food safety supervision and due diligence records
Kitchen equipment operation and preventive maintenance
Allergen management and dietary requirements in catering
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Prepare and cook dishes to specification on your kitchen section
Supervise and guide commis chefs and kitchen assistants
Complete daily mise en place and set up the section for service
Monitor food quality and presentation before dishes leave the pass
Manage stock, place orders and check deliveries for your section
Maintain food safety temperature records and hygiene standards
Assist the sous chef in menu development and recipe testing
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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