Ashling Park Estate is offering an exciting opportunity as an Apprentice Commis Chef where you will develop your culinary skills in a premium dining environment, working with an experienced brigade, gaining hands on experience in modern British cuisine while studying for a Commis Chef Level 2 Apprenticeship.
What you will learn:
- As an Apprentice Chef at Ashling Park Estate Restaurant, you will be part of a professional kitchen team delivering high quality, seasonal dishes that showcase the best of local ingredients.
- Working across lunch and tasting experiences, private events, and special occasions, you will support the preparation and service of beautifully crafted plates that complement our award-winning wines.
- From working with fresh, locally sourced produce to understanding how food pairs with English sparkling wine, you’ll develop a well-rounded skill set that sets a strong foundation for your culinary career.
Key Responsibilities:
- To display genuine passion for food, seasonal ingredients, and modern British cuisine.
- To be enthusiastic to learn and develop skills within a professional kitchen environment.
- Assisting with food preparation and basic cooking tasks
- Maintaining high standards of food hygiene and cleanliness
- Learning knife skills, cooking techniques, and kitchen organisation
- Supporting the kitchen team during service
- Following health & safety and food safety regulations always
Who you will be:
- Someone looking to join a supportive and passionate team and work hard to become part of it.
- Someone willing to multi-task whether assisting with prep, supporting service during busy sittings or helping deliver memorable experiences.
- Someone who will undertake to maintain Ashling Park Estates reputation for quality, elegance and outstanding hospitality.
- Someone who can work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.
- Someone who will be flexible enough to work shifts as required including evenings and weekends.
- Someone who can drive has their own transport
Key Skills:
- Strong attention to detail
- Commitment to high standards
- Positive attitude
- Proactive approach
- Teamwork
- Multi-tasker
- Good communication
- Good organisational skills
- Flexibility
- Strong work ethic
- Thrives under pressure
- Punctual
- Adaptable
- Takes direction well
Working Week: 30-40 hours per week – Monday to Sunday on rota – shift patterns and rota patterns will be provided. Day release at Chichester College once per week.
Salary: £12,480-£16,640 per annum in line with the Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage depending on the hours worked.
Qualifications Required: No formal qualifications are required although GCSE Math and English minimum grade 2 would be an advantage.
Future Prospects: Potential progression in the kitchen is possible on successful completion of the apprenticeship.
About the Employer: Nestled in the heart of the West Sussex countryside near Chichester, Ashling Park Estate is a premium vineyard destination renowned for its award-winning English sparkling wines, luxury lodges and exceptional visitor experiences. A key part of its appeal is the estate’s restaurant, which serves delicious seasonal dishes carefully crafted to complement Ashling Park’s wines, alongside produce from the estate’s gardens and locally sourced ingredients. Combining outstanding food, award-winning wines, beautiful surroundings and warm hospitality, Ashling Park Estate has become one of the most popular and sought-after wine tourism destinations in West Sussex. For further information please visit: https://ashlingpark.co.uk/
What you need to know:
- This Level 2 qualification is a 17-month apprenticeship including the 3 months end point assessment.
- This is a combination of work and learning so you will be expected to commit to the learning and stay at the employers until the apprenticeship is successfully completed.
- To apply you must have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years before the start date of the apprenticeship learning and have authorisation to work in the UK.
- You cannot apply if you already have a qualification equal to or higher than the apprenticeship standard being studied.
- You can apply if you have a higher qualification than the apprenticeship standard in an unrelated subject.
- You should live in the area local to the employer and Chichester College which is the campus offering the apprenticeship.
Further Information: Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage (ANMW): The National Minimum Wage for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour (As of the 1st of April 2026). This is the legal minimum pay per hour applying to 16- to 18-year-old apprentices and those aged 19 and over in the first year of their apprenticeship. For apprentices 19 or over who have completed their first year and are continuing their apprenticeship, the National Minimum Wage appropriate to their ages applies.
Pay: Up to £16,640.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Chichester PO18 9DJ: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Why are you interested in this apprenticeship?
- What excites you about becoming a Chef?
- What do you think you would be able to bring to the role?
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Location:
- Chichester PO18 9DJ (preferred)
Work Location: In person
