Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Hospitality & Food

Commis Chef

Commis chefs do the core cooking jobs in a professional kitchen, such as starters, vegetables, sweets, meats and sauces. It suits creative people who love food.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
2 years
Award
QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Culinary Arts
Where you train
  • Co-ordinated by Kerry ETB (Kerry College, Monavalley Campus, Tralee)
Pay
Salary from your employer while training on-the-job and off-the-job (rate agreed with employer)
Costs
No student contribution

Entry requirements

  • Must be hired by an approved employer
  • Full eligibility criteria are in the Commis Chef Apprenticeship brochure

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Search the Apprenticeship Jobs page, or enquire/apply through Kerry College. Contact Kerry ETB, the co-ordinating provider.

Enquire / apply (Kerry College) โ†— Commis Chef apprenticeship website โ†— Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Cook a range of dishes to a professional standard
  • Follow food safety rules
  • Use the right equipment to prepare, cook and present food
  • Help review and refresh menus
  • Check food stocks and report shortages

Where it can lead

  • Commis chef in tourism and hospitality in Ireland or abroad
  • Progress to the Chef de Partie apprenticeship (Level 7)

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Home Economics, Biology

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Other Hospitality & Food apprenticeships

Tertiary degrees in Personal Services

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.