Summary

This programme gives senior culinary chefs the opportunity to develop new recipes, products and product lines that meet specification briefs in line with the organisation’s vision, values and objectives.

What is Senior Culinary Chef Apprenticeship?

Through this course, a Senior Culinary Chef apprentice will develop a comprehensive set of advanced skills, with a strong emphasis on leadership and team development. They will learn how to communicate effectively, apply key management theories, and lead their kitchen teams to achieve impactful results. The programme also covers vital aspects of culinary and operational excellence, such as sourcing and monitoring food and equipment suppliers, creating recipes from scratch or to a given brief, and optimising the presentation and packaging of food.

For individuals looking to build a strong foundation before advancing, exploring a level 2 commis chef apprenticeship could be a beneficial starting point.

Apprentices will also explore current food trends, learn how to maximise profit margins, and focus on identifying and coordinating staff training opportunities – all of which contribute to building a loyal, high-performing team and driving business growth.

For those interested in other culinary pathways, explore our chef apprenticeship to develop foundational skills in professional cookery.

Entry

Employers will set their own entry requirements in order to start this apprenticeship.

Duration

The minimum duration is 8 months, our recommended duration for this programme is 15 months.

Progression

Progression from this apprenticeship is expected to be into a Senior Culinary Chef role.

Cost / Funding

Levy Payers £9,000

Non-Levy Payers £540

All prices are inclusive of VAT

Level

Level 4

Functional skills

If an apprentice is aged 16-18 and has not previously achieved the required level of English and maths, they will need to complete Functional Skills as part of their apprenticeship programme.

While Functional Skills are no longer mandatory for adult apprentices (19+), literacy and numeracy skills remain essential for success.

For those without prior English and Maths qualifications, we recommend level 2 maths and level 2 English to support career growth and workplace efficiency.

Our tailored support ensures these skills are seamlessly integrated into the apprenticeship journey, helping every apprentice develop these vital skills.

End assessment

The End Point Assessment (EPA) for the Senior Culinary Apprenticeship includes:

Project
Presentation of Project outcomes with supplementary questioning
Practical assessment with questions and answers.

Professional support

HIT Training assigns a designated Vocational Trainer to each apprentice. Alongside the apprentice they will agree on a personal learning and development plan, setting a timetable of learning activities in preparation for the End Point Assessment (EPA).

The HIT Vocational Trainer will meet with the apprentice regularly either online or face to face to complete and review assessments, provide further coaching where required and agree the next steps of learning.

Download our factsheet

Senior Culinary Chef Apprenticeship facesheet