A commis chef works close together with the head chef. A commis chef has to be able to deal with a fast-paced work environment and the work can be very stressful. He knows how to make really good food from scratch. Usually he can make just about anything that is on the restaurants’ menu and more. He follows all instructions closely and is able to follow written instructions if the head chef is not present. The commis chef is capable of standing in for the chef when that is necessary. Whenever the chef wants to cook something new or something for a special guest the commis can be asked to help do the preparations like cleaning vegetables or making a special sauce. The commis chef keeps the work area clean, does the temperature checks, and keeps track of inventory. He fills out the order form before the head chef signs it.
To find out if you are interested enough in food to also work with it you should definitely hang out at restaurants for a while. Being a guest there is not going to show you a full picture. Find a restaurant job that gives you plenty of opportunity to see the atmosphere in the kitchen. A job as a busser or kitchen aide can show you what it takes to step on that ladder to become a commis chef.
It is recommended to attend a good culinary school that stands out on your resume when you apply for a commis chef job. It is, however, not a requirement to do so. The only certificate that is needed to work in a professional kitchen at any level is a food handler’s permit. Even dishwashers have to have one at all times. A high school diploma and willingness to learn the job of a commis chef will bring you a long way, especially if you want to work in a restaurant that is owned by a relative or family friend.
Jobs for commis chefs are not restricted to the restaurant or hotel business. Experience as a commis chef opens opportunities. You can work as a commis chef on a cruise ship and really see the world while getting paid for it. Or you can work in a hotel on the slopes and ski for free all winter. Commis chefs make pretty good money, but especially single people will enjoy the exciting opportunities that come with these kinds of benefits. Those who work as commis chefs in a university hospital, will often have unseen tuition benefits for their children at that university.
Wages depend a lot on the area you work in and how many stars a hotel has. Entry-job wages vary between $10 and $14 an hour in rural areas and more in big cities or better restaurants, but good commis chefs can pursue a real career and eventually land a high-paying chef job.
