Production Chef Apprentice

Sala Thai Kitchen is an award-winning Thai restaurant and cooking school in the heart of St Albans, led by experienced cookery teacher Thippawan Rashleigh. We're looking for an enthusiastic and hardworking Production Chef Apprentice to join our kitchen team.

What you'll do

This is an excellent opportunity for someone passionate about food to develop professional culinary skills while working in a busy restaurant environment, learning how to prepare, cook and present high-quality dishes while maintaining excellent food safety and hygiene standards.

This apprenticeship follows the nationally recognised ST0589 Production Chef standard, giving you a genuine Level 2 qualification while you earn. You'll work as part of a fast-paced kitchen team, following centrally developed recipes and menu specifications, and applying methodical organisation, accuracy and attention to detail to everything you produce.

Key Responsibilities:

• Preparing and cooking dishes to agreed specifications, including authentic Thai dishes and menu items
• Supporting daily food production and service
• Following recipes and portion control procedures to meet quality and budgetary requirements
• Adapting and producing dishes to meet special dietary, religious and allergenic requirements
• Ensuring food safety, personal and kitchen hygiene standards are always maintained
• Assisting with stock management, rotation and ordering
• Maintaining kitchen cleanliness and organisation
• Using specialist kitchen equipment safely and correctly
• Working collaboratively with the wider kitchen team, communicating clearly with colleagues and customers

Training

• You will receive on-site training as well as regular visits from our excellent assessors at Oaklands College

After the apprenticeship

• At the end of your apprenticeship, their is a possibility to become a permanent member of staff

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

Qualifications

• Essential: GCSE, English (grade Level 2-9)
• Essential: GCSE, Maths (grade Level 2-9)

About the employer

Authentic Thai flavours rooted in tradition — brought to life with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients right here in Britain.

You will be under the supervision of executive chef and owner, Thippawan Rashleigh.

Thippi grew up in a small village northeastern of Thailand, Chaiyaphum with food as her love language. Now based in St Albans, she brings the soul of her hometown to every dish — using Thai herbs and spices, seasonal produce, and locally sourced ingredients to create flavours that are both deeply authentic and beautifully of-the-moment. Thippi is passionate about sustainability: cook what you have at home, in the right portions, and create no waste.

Her three passions — people, food, and yoga — shape everything she does. Whether she's cooking for first-time visitors or old friends, running a class, or writing her debut cookbook, Thippi's mission is always the same: connection through food.

Apprenticeship details

• Course: Production chef (level 2), Catering and hospitality
• Apprenticeship level: Intermediate (level 2)
• Training provider: OAKLANDS COLLEGE
• Expected duration: 1 Year
• Hours: 36 hours a week. Working week: This role will be shift based, at least 30 hours a week, evening and weekends shifts are necessary.
• Start date: 26 October 2026
• Positions available: 1
• Wage: £16,926 a year