Commis chef

This document explains the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the commis chef apprenticeship. End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) must follow this when designing and delivering the EPA.

Commis chef apprentices, their employers and training providers should read this document.

A full-time commis chef apprentice typically spends 12 months on-programme. The apprentice must spend at least 12 months on-programme and complete the required amount of off-the-job training in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.

The EPA should be completed within an EPA period lasting typically 3 months.

The apprentice must complete their training and meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA. The EPA will assess occupational competence.

An approved EPAO must conduct the EPA for this apprenticeship. Employers must work with the training provider to select an approved EPAO from the apprenticeship providers and assessment register (APAR).

This EPA has 2 assessment methods.

The grades available for each assessment method are below.

Assessment method 1 - simulated practical with questions:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

Assessment method 2 - interview underpinned by portfolio:

• fail

• pass

• distinction

The result from each assessment method is combined to decide the overall apprenticeship grade. The following grades are available for the apprenticeship:

• fail

• pass

• merit

• distinction

The EPA is taken in the EPA period. The EPA period starts when the EPAO confirms the gateway requirements have been met and is typically 3 months.

The EPAO should confirm the gateway requirements have been met and start the EPA as quickly as possible.

The apprentice’s employer must be content that the apprentice is occupationally competent. That is, they are deemed to be working at or above the level set out in the apprenticeship standard and ready to undertake the EPA. The employer may take advice from the apprentice's training provider, but the employer must make the decision. The apprentice will then enter the gateway.

The apprentice must meet the gateway requirements before starting their EPA.

They must:

• confirm they are ready to take the EPA
• have achieved English and mathematics qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules

• submit Recipes for the simulated practical with questions

• • The apprentice must submit their recipes, for the simulated practical with questions, alongside their portfolio. The recipes must meet the criteria outlined in the simulated practical with questions guidance.
  • The sources of the recipes must be stated. Recipes can be from the apprentice's place of work or sourced from elsewhere.
  • The seasonal dish, or dishes, to be prepared should be seasonal at the point at which the recipes are submitted.

• submit a portfolio of evidence for the interview underpinned by portfolio

Portfolio of evidence requirements:

The apprentice must compile a portfolio of evidence during the on-programme period of the apprenticeship. It should only contain evidence related to the KSBs that will be assessed by the interview. It will typically contain 20 discrete pieces of evidence. Evidence must be mapped against the KSBs. Evidence may be used to demonstrate more than one KSB.

The portfolio must include the following evidence, typically as complete dishes e.g. plated fish with potatoes vegetables and sauce, rather than a piece of filleted and cooked fish on its own.

• 1 fish to include filleting the fish
• 1 poultry to include breaking down the bird
• 3 from meat, game, or offal using 2 preparation methods from trim, devein, portion, debone, check for shot
• 1 shellfish
• 2 egg or egg-based dishes from batter, poached, boiled, fried, omelette, scrambled, in a dish or on its own
• 3 vegetables and 1 fruit using 2 of the listed preparation methods in K5.
• 2 sauces one of which must be roux-based
• 2 soups one of which must be flour-based
• 1 pulse or grain
• 1 stock used in any dish
• 1 pasta or noodle-based dish, either fresh or convenience
• 2 doughs: 1 leavened and 1 unleavened
• 3 pastry-based dishes
• 3 plated desserts: 1 hot, 1 cold, and 1 mousse-based
• 1 dish must be stuffed or filled, and pane
• 1 dish must be gluten free using alternative ingredients e.g. gluten-free flour
• 1 dish must be plant based using alternative ingredients e.g. plant-based milk

The portfolio should also include evidence to support interview questions on the themes of;

• cooking with alternative ingredients
• Identifying and resolving errors and issues
• Self management and professional development
• Teamwork and communication
• Equity, diversity and inclusion
• Stock control

Evidence sources may include workplace documentation and records, for example:

• workplace policies and procedures
• witness statements
• annotated photographs
• video clips with a maximum total duration 10 minutes; the apprentice must be in view and identifiable

This is not a definitive list; other evidence sources can be included.

The portfolio of evidence should not include reflective accounts or any methods of self-assessment. Any employer contributions should focus on direct observation of performance, for example, witness statements, rather than opinions. The evidence provided should be valid and attributable to the apprentice; the portfolio of evidence should contain a statement from the employer and apprentice confirming this.

The EPAO should not assess the portfolio of evidence directly as it underpins the interview. The independent assessor should review the portfolio of evidence to prepare questions for the interview. They are not required to provide feedback after this review.

Gateway evidence must be submitted to the EPAO, along with any organisation specific policies and procedures requested by the EPAO.

The assessment methods can be delivered in any order.
The result of one assessment method does not need to be known before starting the next.

Overview

In a practical assessment with questions, an independent assessor observes the apprentice completing a task or series of tasks set by the EPAO. The EPAO decides in which of the simulated environments the assessment will take place. The assessment environment chosen must closely relate to the apprentice’s natural working environment. This assessment method gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

• This occupation involves practical activity best assessed through demonstration in a simulated practical.
• The simulated practical enables the assessment of essential knowledge and skills in the preparation cooking and finishing of food items and the application and use of equipment in a controlled environment.
• The scope of the simulated practical allows the apprentice to demonstrate depth of food preparation, cooking and finishing skills that may not typically be observed during an observation of a service period in their place of work.
• Employers may doubt the occupational competence of an apprentice not assessed in this way.

reduces the assessment burden on the apprentice

Delivery

The simulated practical with questions must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the simulated practical with questions.

The independent assessor can observe up to 4 apprentices at the same time to ensure quality and rigour. They must be as unobtrusive as possible.

The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks' notice of the simulated practical with questions.

The simulated practical with questions must take 3 hours.

The independent assessor can increase the time of the simulated practical with questions by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to complete a task or respond to a question if necessary.

The simulated practical with questions cannot be split, other than for comfort breaks or to allow apprentices to move from one location to another. Where breaks occur, they will not count towards the total EPA time.

The EPAO must manage invigilation of the apprentice during the assessment, to maintain security of the EPA, in line with their malpractice policy. This includes breaks and moving between locations.

The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the simulated practical with questions before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.

The independent assessor must observe the following during the practical assessment:

To enable assessment of the associated themes and KSBs the apprentice must produce a range of dishes covering the following requirements:

Apprentices must prepare a starter, a main, and a dessert.

• The main course must include at least 1 animal protein prepared from whole, a starch, a sauce, and two vegetables.
• The starter must have at least 3 elements to the dish
• The dessert must have at least 3 elements to the dish
• At least 1 dish must showcase seasonal ingredients

Apprentices can select recipes from their employer's menu or elsewhere. The sources of the recipes should be stated.

The following activities must be observed:

• the selection and preparation of ingredients

• the cooking, plating, and finishing of dishes

• the use of kitchen equipment

• maintaining a safe and hygienic working environment

• managing own workload

These activities provide the apprentice with the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

The independent assessor must ask questions. to check the understanding of the knowledge and skills applied in the simulated practical and to explore how waste can be minimsed.

Questioning must occur during the practical assessment. The time for questioning is included in the overall assessment time.

The independent assessor must ask at least 4 questions during the practical assessment. To remain as unobtrusive as possible, the independent assessor should ask questions during natural breaks in work rather than disrupting the apprentice’s flow. The independent assessor must use the questions from their EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training.

The independent assessor can ask follow-up questions to clarify answers given by the apprentice. These questions are in addition to the above set number of questions for the simulated practical with questions.

The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision. The independent assessor must assess the practical assessment and responses to questions holistically when deciding the grade.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the KSBs observed
• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The simulated practical with questions must take place in a simulated environment selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s premises, a training provider’s premises, a training facility in the employer’s premises, a test centre or a similar simulated environment. This simulated environment must relate to the apprentice’s natural work environment. Equipment and resources needed for the simulated practical with questions must be confirmed to be available by the EPAO, who can liaise with the employer to provide these. They must be in good and safe working condition.

Additional venue requirements that must be in place include:

• professional kitchen, including necessary equipment required

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of tasks and questions in the case of re-sits and retakes, to minimise predictability.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the simulated practical with questions:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

Overview

In the interview, an independent assessor asks the apprentice questions. It gives the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method.

Rationale

This assessment method will allow assessment of KSBs that might not naturally occur in every workplace, or might take too long to assess in a simulated practical. It is supported by a portfolio which enables the apprentice to demonstrate application of the full range of KSBs.

reduces the assessment burden on the apprentice

Delivery

The interview must be structured to give the apprentice the opportunity to demonstrate the KSBs mapped to this assessment method to the highest available grade.

An independent assessor must conduct and assess the interview.

The purpose of the independent assessor’s questions will be to assess the apprentice’s competence against the following themes:

• Prepare, cook, and finish dishes; the independent assessor must focus on 4 completed dishes or plates of food submitted within the portfolio, each from a different food group, each using different preparation and cooking methods. Dishes observed in the practical should be excluded from questions in the interview.
• Cooking with alternative ingredients
• Errors and issues
• Self-management and professional development
• Teamwork and communication
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Stock Control

Questions asked in the interview must be based on evidence presented in the portfolio of evidence.

The EPAO must give an apprentice 2 weeks' notice of the interview.

The independent assessor must have at least 2 weeks to review the supporting documentation.

The apprentice must have access to their portfolio of evidence during the interview.

The apprentice can refer to and illustrate their answers with evidence from their portfolio of evidence however, the portfolio of evidence is not directly assessed.

The interview must last for 60 minutes. The independent assessor can increase the time of the interview by up to 10%. This time is to allow the apprentice to respond to a question if necessary.

The independent assessor must explain to the apprentice the format and timescales of the interview before it starts. This does not count towards the assessment time.

The independent assessor must ask at least 10 questions. The independent assessor must use the questions from the EPAO’s question bank or create their own questions in line with the EPAO’s training. Follow-up questions are allowed where clarification is required.

The apprentice may choose to end the assessment method early. The apprentice must be confident they have demonstrated competence against the assessment requirements for the assessment method. The independent assessor or EPAO must ensure the apprentice is fully aware of all assessment requirements. The independent assessor or EPAO cannot suggest or choose to end the assessment methods early, unless in an emergency. The EPAO is responsible for ensuring the apprentice understands the implications of ending an assessment early if they choose to do so. The independent assessor may suggest the assessment continues. The independent assessor must document the apprentice’s request to end the assessment early.

The independent assessor must make the grading decision.

The independent assessor must keep accurate records of the assessment. They must record:

• the apprentice’s answers to questions
• the KSBs demonstrated in answers to questions
• the grade achieved

Assessment location

The interview must take place in a suitable venue selected by the EPAO for example, the EPAO’s or employer’s premises.

The interview can be conducted by video conferencing. The EPAO must have processes in place to verify the identity of the apprentice and ensure the apprentice is not being aided.

The interview should take place in a quiet room, free from distractions and influence.

Question and resource development

The EPAO must develop a purpose-built assessment specification and question bank. It is recommended this is done in consultation with employers of this occupation. The EPAO must maintain the security and confidentiality of EPA materials when consulting with employers. The assessment specification and question bank must be reviewed at least once a year to ensure they remain fit-for-purpose.

The assessment specification must be relevant to the occupation and demonstrate how to assess the KSBs mapped to this assessment method. The EPAO must ensure that questions are refined and developed to a high standard. The questions must be unpredictable. A question bank of sufficient size will support this.

The EPAO must ensure that the apprentice has a different set of questions in the case of re-sits or re-takes.

The EPAO must produce the following materials to support the interview underpinned by portfolio:

• independent assessor assessment materials which include:
  • training materials
  • administration materials
  • moderation and standardisation materials
  • guidance materials
  • grading guidance
  • question bank
• EPA guidance for the apprentice and the employer

The EPAO must ensure that the EPA materials are subject to quality assurance procedures including standardisation and moderation.

All assessment methods are weighted equally in their contribution to the overall EPA grade.

In order to gain an overall EPA pass, apprentices must achieve a pass in both assessment methods.

In order to gain an overall EPA merit, apprentices must achieve a pass in one assessment method and a distinction in the other assessment method.

In order to gain an overall EPA distinction, apprentices must achieve a distinction in both assessment methods.

If the apprentice fails one assessment method or more, they can take a re-sit or a re-take at their employer’s discretion. The apprentice’s employer needs to agree that a re-sit or re-take is appropriate. A re-sit does not need further learning, whereas a re-take does. The apprentice should have a supportive action plan to prepare for a re-sit or a re-take.

The employer and the EPAO should agree the timescale for a re-sit or re-take. A re-sit is typically taken within 2 months of the EPA outcome notification. The timescale for a re-take is dependent on how much re-training is required and is typically taken within 3 months of the EPA outcome notification.

Failed assessment methods must be re-sat or re-taken within a 6-month period from the EPA outcome notification, otherwise the entire EPA will need to be re-sat or re-taken in full.

Re-sits and re-takes are not offered to an apprentice wishing to move from pass to a higher grade.

The apprentice will get a maximum EPA grade of pass if they need to re-sit or re-take one or more assessment methods, unless the EPAO determines there are exceptional circumstances.

Reasonable adjustments

The EPAO must have reasonable adjustments arrangements for the EPA.

This should include:

• how an apprentice qualifies for a reasonable adjustment
• what reasonable adjustments may be made

Adjustments must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Special considerations

The EPAO must have special consideration arrangements for the EPA.

This should include:

• how an apprentice qualifies for a special consideration
• what special considerations will be given

Special considerations must maintain the validity, reliability and integrity of the EPA as outlined in this EPA plan.

Internal quality assurance refers to the strategies, policies and procedures that an EPAO must have in place to ensure valid, consistent and reliable EPA decisions.

EPAOs for this EPA must adhere to the requirements within the roles and responsibilities table.

They must also appoint independent assessors who:

• have recent relevant experience of the occupation or sector to at least occupational level 3 gained in the last 3 years or significant experience of the occupation or sector

Affordability of the EPA will be aided by using at least some of the following:

• utilising digital remote platforms to conduct applicable assessment methods

• assessing multiple apprentices simultaneously where the assessment method permits this

• using the employer’s premises

• conducting assessment methods on the same day

This apprenticeship is not aligned to professional recognition.