Diploma in Professional Cookery – Level 2

Required qualifications

4x GCSEs grade 3-9 including maths and English

Satisfactory references

Completion of L1 Food Preparation and Cooking

Previous industry experience

What skills will I develop?

You will develop new skills alongside using your existing skills to produce dishes using an extensive range of ingredients to meet the course criteria. Alongside this you will develop your knowledge of health and safety that surrounds the industry and put into practice. You will work as a team to cook for customers in our busy onsite restaurant alongside learners at level 1. You will take on a lead role working your way around the different departments within the brigade of the kitchen whilst developing your employability skills further.

You will cover a wide range of different topics helping you to develop your knowledge and practical skills within preparing/cooking: stocks, soups, vegetables, pasta, rice, grains and a range of meats alongside developing dough, pastry and biscuit cooking skills.

Careers

After completion of this course you can go on to study a level 3 programme within catering/cookery or you may wish to explore our level 2 within hospitality to help develop a well-rounded level of knowledge within the industry.

You may want to find employment and not study further. If this is the case you could consider jobs in:

• Chain and Hotel Restaurants
• Pubs
• Cruise Ships
• Armed Forces
• Schools
• NHS
• Private Chef
• Events or location catering/weddings

Salary – You can earn on average between £13,000 and £50,000 a year as a chef in the UK. Your starting salary can vary because of factors like level of experience, training, location or the size of the company. Your salary as a chef will increase over time as you build your skills, knowledge and experience.

Work experience

During your studies you are expected to undergo a minimum of 40 hours work experience in the industry. You are required to secure a work placement in an establishment where you can put your skills into practice and learn new skills from the employer.

On successful completion of work experience some learners have secured employment with their provider.

English and maths

If you have not already achieved English and maths at grade 4-5 you will continue to study the subjects and be able to improve on your existing grades.

You will be timetabled for 3 hours of both English and maths a week which is a compulsory part of your career development.

A good understanding of English and maths is necessary when preparing and cooking food to enable you to complete your dishes accurately and work to industry standards.

Other important information

You will need to purchase a uniform that should be worn at all times when in practical lessons. On interview you will be provided with a uniform list to view and costs discussed.

You may be eligible for a college bursary to help you with these costs.