Job Title: Apprentice Chef - SuffolkSalary/Hourly Rate: £12.71 per hourLocation: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England, IP31 1EEReporting to: Service Delivery ManagerHours/Working Pattern: 35 hours per weekContractual 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.
Reliable, punctual, and able to work well as part of a team.
Willing to learn and take instruction, with attention to detail,
Good time management, and a strong work ethic.
Maintains high standards of hygiene, food safety, and presentation, and can work effectively under pressure.

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 fo

Compass Group UK & Ireland Ltd

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Apprentice Chef - Suffolk