What personality traits are important in a Commis Chef job description?

Date modified: 22nd September 2025 | This FAQ page has been written by Pilla Founder, Liam Jones, click to email Liam directly, he reads every email.

Commis Chef Job Description Template

This job description template provides a full working exmaple using our six step approach. Open the template in the Pilla app and customise each section to make it specific to your role and business.

We operate a professional restaurant kitchen serving 140 covers daily with emphasis on culinary education, skill development, and traditional cooking techniques. Our commis chef position provides excellent foundation training for aspiring chefs within our supportive kitchen brigade. This entry-level role focuses on fundamental cooking skills development while supporting kitchen operations through food preparation and service assistance. You'll work alongside experienced chefs learning professional techniques, kitchen organization, and culinary standards. The position offers exceptional opportunities for rapid skill development, with structured training programs and potential advancement to chef de partie, line cook, and senior kitchen positions within our culinary team.
• Assist with food preparation including ingredient prep, vegetable preparation, and basic cooking tasks under supervision • Support kitchen operations through mise en place preparation, stock preparation, and service setup • Learn and practice fundamental cooking techniques including knife skills, food handling, and basic cooking methods • Maintain kitchen cleanliness and organization following strict hygiene and sanitation procedures • Assist senior chefs with dish preparation, plating, and food presentation during service periods • Follow HACCP and food safety protocols including proper storage, temperature control, and contamination prevention • Support inventory management through stock rotation, waste monitoring, and storage organization • Learn kitchen equipment operation and maintenance including proper cleaning and basic maintenance tasks • Assist with special event preparation, catering orders, and high-volume service support as needed • Participate in training sessions covering cooking techniques, safety procedures, and professional development • Communicate effectively with kitchen team regarding tasks, timing, and learning opportunities • Support general kitchen duties including equipment cleaning, area maintenance, and operational tasks
Essential Skills: Enthusiasm for learning professional cooking with willingness to develop fundamental culinary skills; basic knife handling abilities with commitment to improving speed and precision; understanding of food safety basics and willingness to learn HACCP procedures; physical fitness for standing long periods and working in hot kitchen environment; ability to follow instructions precisely and accept constructive feedback; good communication skills for learning from experienced chefs; reliable and punctual work habits with strong attention to detail. Preferred Qualifications: Previous kitchen experience in any capacity demonstrating interest in culinary careers; culinary school enrollment or recent graduation; basic understanding of cooking principles and kitchen operations; food safety certification or willingness to obtain required training; additional language skills for diverse kitchen teams; genuine passion for food and cooking demonstrated through personal cooking experience.
This is an excellent entry-level position for people starting their culinary careers or those looking to transition into professional cooking. We welcome applications from culinary school graduates, career changers, and enthusiastic beginners who are serious about learning professional cooking. While previous kitchen experience is helpful, we're more interested in your attitude, work ethic, and genuine desire to learn. We provide structured training covering fundamental cooking techniques, kitchen safety, food preparation, and professional kitchen practices. Career development is rapid for dedicated individuals, with opportunities to advance to line cook, chef de partie, and senior positions based on skill development and performance. We support career growth through mentoring, training programs, and increasing responsibilities.
We're looking for someone with genuine passion for cooking and strong desire to learn professional culinary skills. You should be eager to take on new challenges, open to feedback and coaching, and committed to developing your abilities quickly. The ideal candidate will have positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to start at entry level while working toward career advancement. You should be patient with the learning process, able to handle constructive criticism, and enthusiastic about growing your culinary knowledge. We value curiosity, dedication, and professional attitude, seeking someone who will embrace our training opportunities while contributing positively to our supportive kitchen team environment.
Competitive starting wage of £10.50-£12.50 per hour based on experience level, with regular skills assessments and pay increases as abilities develop and responsibilities increase. Training benefits include: comprehensive culinary education through hands-on learning with experienced chefs; chef whites provided and maintained; nutritious staff meals during all shifts; 22 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays. Professional development opportunities including structured advancement pathway to senior kitchen positions, external culinary training support, and mentorship from experienced chefs. Rapid career progression available for dedicated individuals showing strong learning aptitude and professional commitment.

When writing a job description for a Commis Chef, it's crucial to highlight specific personality traits that align with your kitchen's atmosphere and pace. Traits like adaptability, resilience under pressure, and a positive attitude can help ensure a good fit within your team. For example, in a high-pressure, fast-paced kitchen, you might look for someone who remains calm and efficient during busy times.

Common misunderstanding: Any hardworking person fits the Commis Chef role.

While hard work is important, not every hardworking person will thrive in every kitchen environment. Specific traits like stress management and quick decision-making are critical in high-pressure kitchens, which might not be as crucial in slower-paced, more methodical settings.

Common misunderstanding: Personality traits are less important than skills.

Skills are teachable, but personality traits are often inherent and can significantly impact team dynamics and service quality. Ensuring a personality fit can prevent workplace conflicts and improve team efficiency.

Why should I avoid using generic terms like "team player" in my job description?

Using specific terms rather than generic ones like "team player" helps attract candidates who are truly a good fit for your kitchen's unique environment. Describing what being a "team player" entails in your specific setting, such as "supports colleagues during peak service hours by taking on additional tasks without being asked," provides clear expectations and attracts candidates who can meet them.

Common misunderstanding: Generic terms make the job description applicable to more candidates.

While generic terms might increase the number of applications, they often lead to a pool of candidates who may not actually fit the specific demands and culture of your kitchen, increasing the time spent on sorting through unsuitable candidates.

Common misunderstanding: Detailed personality descriptions scare away potential candidates.

Detailed descriptions help ensure that those who apply are more likely to be aligned with the role's actual demands and team culture, which can lead to better retention and job satisfaction.

How do I clearly explain the desired attitude and communication style for our Commis Chefs?

To clearly convey the desired attitude and communication style, use specific examples and actions in your job description. For instance, if your kitchen thrives on open communication, you might say, "Our chefs frequently check in with each other to ensure everything runs smoothly, making it essential for our Commis Chefs to be proactive and vocal about their progress and needs."

Common misunderstanding: It’s enough to just list desired traits.

Simply listing traits like "good communicator" or "positive attitude" can be too vague. Describing how these traits are applied in daily operations makes it easier for candidates to understand if they can perform well in your environment.

Common misunderstanding: Over-specifying can limit your applicant pool.

While being specific might narrow the pool, it increases the chances of finding candidates who will excel in your specific kitchen environment and who are more likely to be satisfied with their job, leading to lower turnover and better team cohesion.