Apprentice Commis Chef Review
at Compass group
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Catering
Fareham
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
I prepare and cook breakfast for the employees of the DSTL Portsdown West site.
I also cook and prepare a main meal, salad bar and cakes as well as sometimes buffets.
I also cook and prepare a main meal, salad bar and cakes as well as sometimes buffets.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I'm really enjoying my time here as an apprentice chef and very lucky to have gotten the opportunity. It's my first chef job apart from being a home cook and I have really enjoyed learning new things and working with the team.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learned a lot of cooking skills and techniques, as well as how to use kitchen equipment.
I've also learned how to work as a team in a busy kitchen environment whilst keeping to high health and safety standards and presentation.
I've also learned how to work as a team in a busy kitchen environment whilst keeping to high health and safety standards and presentation.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
It is well organized as I go to college once a week to learn to cook more intricate dishes and learn about the logistics and health and safety side of working in a culinary environment.
My head chef always is letting me try new things to improve my overall knowledge of running the kitchen day to day. I don't feel as if I am missing out or being held back in any way
My head chef always is letting me try new things to improve my overall knowledge of running the kitchen day to day. I don't feel as if I am missing out or being held back in any way
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a great amount of support and also a lot of benefits with the training days and apprenticeship courses they let me go on! If I have an issue I know they'd be able to sort it out with me but there hasn't been any issues so far.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My college lecturer has been great at teaching us new techniques and classical cooking recipes, I feel as if I have become a much better chef from the time I spend there. I also have monthly calls with a training provider who always asks if I'm doing OK and if he can help in anyway which is nice.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I have learned many new ways of cooking such as knife skills and ways to properly prepare food that has made day to day work a lot easier.
The theory lessons we do are very useful as they offer insight in how to work in a productive and healthy way, meaning my work is done quicker and I don't make many mistakes
The theory lessons we do are very useful as they offer insight in how to work in a productive and healthy way, meaning my work is done quicker and I don't make many mistakes
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
I'm unsure about this, but there is a lot of networking events and apprentice classes offered by compass which I would love to go on. As well as this , my college offers a few competitions to help grow my chef knowledge and skills. I am going to apply for a pancake competition this June so that is very fun!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Compass group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Compass is a very supporting apprenticeship provider as I feel like I am not just an apprentice but part of the team here at the DSTL. I am on par with my other chefs and am treated very well, always given opportunities to learn more in and out of work, and given lots of support when needed. I am very happy with the benefits that Compass provides me in my chef journey, and the overall schedule of the apprenticeship (one day at college is great!) I think if I had a friend who wanted to be a chef as well I'd recommend Compass as a lot of other places would not have this much guidance and support!
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Compass group?
I am not quite sure, but I think I would recommend being eager and passionate about becoming a Chef with compass as I think it can get you far. I think that if you show the willing and work hard you can get a lot of benefits, especially with Compass, such as a Chef masterclass I applied for in the coming months. The process of becoming an apprentice was very streamlined and simple for me so I don't have any advice of warning for anyone who would also want to follow what I've done
