Commis 1 (Sushi Chef) – Accor Hotel, UAE
Job Description
| Job title | Commis 1, Sushi / Japanese section |
| Employer | Accor hotel |
| Department | Kitchen, Japanese / sushi |
| Location | UAE (exact hotel shown on the application page) |
| Job type | Full-time |
| Salary | Confirmed by the employer at interview |
Sushi is a skill you can’t fake
You can fake plenty of things in a kitchen for about a day. Sushi isn’t one of them. The rice is either seasoned right or it isn’t, the cuts are either clean or ragged, and a guest sitting at the counter can tell within one bite.
If you’ve got those hands, an Accor hotel is hiring a Commis 1 for its sushi section, and it could be a solid step up the ladder.
About Accor
Accor is one of the biggest hotel groups in the world, with brands that run from everyday names like ibis and Novotel to Pullman, Sofitel, Swissôtel, Fairmont and Raffles. It has a strong presence in the UAE, in Dubai and Abu Dhabi especially, and its hotels range from business-friendly stays to full luxury resorts, many with Japanese restaurants of their own.
For a young cook, a group this size can mean structured kitchens, clear standards and the chance to learn from chefs who trained in different countries. That exposure adds up quickly.
What does a Commis 1 do?
In most hotel kitchens, Commis 1 is the most senior commis level, sitting just under Demi Chef de Partie. You’re not only following orders anymore. You’re expected to run a station reasonably well with light supervision and help the junior commis along. In the sushi section, that usually means:
- Washing, cooking, seasoning and holding sushi rice at the right temperature
- Cutting fish and seafood cleanly for nigiri, sashimi and maki
- Rolling maki and uramaki, shaping nigiri and plating to the chef’s standard
- Prepping garnishes, sauces, wasabi, pickled ginger and fillings before service
- Receiving, checking and storing fish and ingredients properly, with the cold chain respected
- Keeping the station, knives and equipment spotless and organised
- Following HACCP and food safety rules, with no shortcuts
- Supporting the Sushi Chef and Chef de Partie during busy services
What they’re likely looking for
- Experience in a sushi or Japanese kitchen, ideally in a hotel or busy restaurant
- Good knife skills and a working knowledge of common fish and seafood
- Strong food hygiene habits. A valid food safety certificate is often asked for in the UAE, so mention it if you have one
- Stamina for long shifts on your feet and calm under pressure
- A clean, organised way of working and a willingness to keep learning
- Flexibility for shifts, including weekends and public holidays
Why this is a good step to take
Japanese restaurants are everywhere in the UAE, and a hotel kitchen is one of the best places to build a proper sushi career. You get volume, standards and supervision all in one place. If you’re already a commis and ready to move up, a Commis 1 role with a well-known hotel brand gives your CV a stronger shape and opens the door to the next rank.
As always, the ad doesn’t list the full package, so ask about salary, working days, uniform, meals and accommodation directly at the interview.
How to prepare for the trade test
- Expect a practical test. Be ready to make rice, cut fish and roll a few simple maki
- Know how sushi rice is seasoned, with rice vinegar, sugar and salt
- Learn the basics in Japanese: maguro (tuna), sake (salmon), hamachi (yellowtail), unagi (eel), ebi (shrimp)
- Bring your own knives if allowed, sharp and clean. It shows how you treat your tools
- Keep your station tidy while you work. Chefs watch that as closely as the cutting
