Job Description
The primary objective of the commis chef is to learn how to work in every area of the kitchen. In order to accomplish this, a commis chef rotates throughout the kitchen, spending six months or so at one kitchen station before moving on to a different one. At each kitchen station, the commis chef has the opportunity to learn from a different senior chef who is in charge of that area. As a commis chef develops their skills as they rotate throughout the kitchen, they will consider which area they want to eventually specialize in.
This can be a challenging position, as the beginning chef is expected to absorb a great deal of information in a short amount of time. It can also be a difficult job because all of a commis chef’s training is conducted on the clock in the kitchen, which is often a high-stress work environment -- especially during busy meal times. In light of this, a commis chef (like all chef types) must be able to work under pressure in order to succeed in his or her role.