What a commis cook does
Rates are indicative, for Bucharest events. One commis per 3–5 cooks is the rule of thumb; improvised (outdoor) kitchens need more.
A commis cook's duties and responsibilities
In short, this is what a commis cook's job description covers — in a restaurant or at events:
- Mise en place
- Pre-service prep: ingredients washed, peeled, cut and portioned, laid out in containers per station, tools within reach.
- Cutting and portioning
- Vegetables in the shapes the cook asks for (dice, julienne, brunoise), meat and fish portioned by weight, supervised on new techniques.
- Simple preparations
- Boils sides, makes salads, base sauces and simple desserts to the cook's recipe.
- Restocking stations
- During service, brings what's running out on the line from the fridge and storeroom so the cooks never stop.
- Hygiene and cleaning
- Cleans surfaces and tools between orders, follows HACCP rules (temperatures, raw/cooked separation, labelling), takes out the rubbish.
- Receiving goods
- Helps unload and check deliveries (quantities, freshness) and store them correctly, rotating stock (first in, first out).
A commis cook's shift, step by step
Example for a 200-guest plated wedding. What you do as a commis cook, in order:
- Arrival (3–4 hours before guests) — kit on (jacket, apron, non-slip shoes), hands washed, short briefing with the head chef: menu, course order, allergens.
- Mise en place — wash and cut vegetables, portion, prep sides and salads. Everything labelled and chilled.
- Line set-up — every station's containers full, plates warming, clean cloths and tools within reach.
- Service — restock what runs out, help with plating when asked (sides, garnish), clean as you go. The head chef sets the pace; you keep it from stalling.
- Dessert and cake — help portion and send plates out fast.
- Close — surplus chilled and labelled, surfaces and equipment clean, rubbish out. The shift ends when the kitchen is handed back clean.
What a beginner commis cook needs to know
- •Safe knife work — the basics come in your first shifts; speed comes with time.
- •Hygiene rules — wash hands often, keep raw and cooked apart, fridge below 4°C, nothing unlabelled.
- •Listen and confirm — in a kitchen you answer “yes, chef” and repeat the order, so nothing gets lost during service.
- •Clean as you go — a clean station is a fast station.
- •Physical stamina — 8–12 hour shifts on your feet, in the heat, lifting weight.
- •Medical clearance — any food-service job in Romania requires a pre-employment medical check.
What a pizza assistant does
A pizza assistant is a commis cook specialised on the pizza station. Their duties:
- •Portions dough into balls and proofs them on the pizzaiolo's schedule
- •Preps toppings: slices cured meat and vegetables, grates cheese, fills the line containers
- •Stretches bases and tops them to recipe, under the pizzaiolo's supervision
- •Cuts pizza out of the oven, boxes it for delivery and keeps the order queue straight
- •Cleans the station and, with a wood-fired oven, helps fuel and clean it
The actual baking and oven rhythm stay with the pizzaiolo. As with a commis cook, after a few months many assistants become pizzaioli themselves.
Commis cook vs cook vs dishwasher
| Role | What they do | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher | Dishes, trays, tools, general cleaning | None |
| Commis cook | Preps ingredients, simple dishes, restocks the line | None |
| Line cook | Cooks and finishes dishes on one station | 1–2 years |
| Chef de partie | Owns a station and leads the helpers | 3+ years |
In Romanian the role is ajutor de bucătar; in English it's a commis chef (restaurants) or kitchen assistant / kitchen helper. See also dishwasher jobs.
What a commis cook earns
| Type of work | Beginner (0–1 yr) | Experienced (1–3 yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 8h event | 280–350 RON | 350–450 RON |
| 12h event | 400–500 RON | 500–650 RON |
Frequently asked questions
What does commis cook mean?+
It's the person who supports the cooks: preps ingredients (washes, peels, cuts, portions), makes simple dishes, restocks the line and keeps the kitchen clean. It's the first rung of the kitchen hierarchy.
What does a commis cook do during service?+
Restocks the stations from the fridge and storeroom, helps with plating when asked (sides, garnish) and cleans as they go, so the cooks never stop.
What's the COR code for a commis cook?+
941101 — “Ajutor bucătar” in the Romanian Classification of Occupations (COR).
Can I work as a commis cook with no experience?+
Yes. It's the entry-level kitchen role. You need to handle long shifts on your feet, learn cutting techniques quickly and follow hygiene rules. Signing up on PHE is free.
What does a pizza assistant do?+
Portions dough, preps toppings, stretches and tops bases under supervision, cuts and boxes pizza for delivery and keeps the station clean. Baking stays with the pizzaiolo.
How long until a commis becomes a cook?+
Usually 6–12 months of steady work, if you learn the stations and basic techniques. Some take a qualification course to speed it up.
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