Do you consider yourself a bit of a foodie? Do you love to cook for friends and family and have ambitions of working in the fast-paced food service industry? If so then this is the course for you.
The North East is an excellent base for anyone wishing to work in the food industry with its growing street-food scene, vibrant café culture and some amazing independent restaurants offering cuisines from around the world.
On this year-long, nationally recognised qualification, you’ll gain the essential skills and knowledge of the industry, train as part of our professional team in our student-run restaurant Enfields Kitchen and work with our industry partners to gain experience and exposure, while building up a professional network.
You will work as a team, build confidence and develop a skillset both in the kitchen and front-of-house to support progression to a Level 2 course or to enable you to enter the workplace.
Past students have secured roles in some of the region’s top restaurants and hospitality venues or have gone on to start their own business.
You’ll train in our kitchens and learn practical skills with our industry-experienced teaching team while also gaining the knowledge to prepare you for a career in the catering and hospitality industry.
We’ll expand your skillset and talents by running guest workshops with some of the region’s most renowned chefs and business-owners.
On completion of this course you will gain an industry recognised qualification NVQ Level 1 Certificate in Professional Cookery and a NVQ Level 1 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service.
This study programme will give you the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a career in catering and hospitality and support you to achieve for your career aspirations.
During your studies you will cover the following topics:
Professional Cookery
You will develop a core introductory skill base in the correct use of equipment and knives in order for you to cook and present a wide range of meat, fish and poultry dishes with an extensive variety of accompaniments such as vegetables, sauces and garnishes.
The course also covers some patisserie elements including cakes, sponges and hot and cold desserts.
Food and Beverage Service
Being confident and able in the kitchen is only part of the skillset you will develop on this course.
In order to be successful in the food service industry it’s important to also understand how to work front of house and deal with customers.
On this course you will have opportunities to practice your customer service skills in Enfields Kitchen, our student-run restaurant, working with customers first hand.
You’ll have initial barista training, work on table design and handle cash and card payments.
Food Hygiene
Working in a safe, hygienic and secure kitchen environment is key in this industry.
On this course you will learn how to follow all hygiene requirements, how to be safe at work and the key fundamentals of kitchen cleanliness.
Bon Appétit To be a chef you need to know culinary terms that come with a broad repertoire of dishes.
On this programme you’ll gain an understanding of international culinary terms in French and Italian.
No previous qualifications are required, however you will need to attend an interview.
Most assessments will be carried out in our training restaurant and kitchens, Enfields Kitchen, and you’ll be marked against the standards of the awarding body and be given continuous feedback to help you improve and grow as a chef.
You will learn industry standard techniques to make you stand out from the crowd using professional standard kitchens and virtual learning resources.
Your teaching team are all highly skilled and experienced staff.
They adapt their teaching styles to suit different abilities and ensure they keep their skills up to date to adapt to modern techniques and changes in the industry.
Work experience is hugely valuable when starting any career.
All our students are given real, live projects to work on, enjoy masterclasses from top chefs and business owners and have the opportunity to showcase their work with real customers during our external events and themed evenings.
This course, along with our personal development programme will help you work towards being job-ready, as well as preparing you for the outside world with training on money management, health and wellbeing, help with CV writing and interview techniques and confidence building.
All elements of your study programme will develop your skills in English and maths, team work and client management – all of which are essential to be successful in the hospitality sector.
Relevant quality work experience placements, employer mentoring, live events and vocational projects will help you to become work-ready and are an important part of your study programme.
You’ll also be able to start making industry contacts with industry professionals.
All practical sessions are taught in our modern, well-equipped training kitchens which contain industry standard kit and equipment.
Working as part of our professional service team in our student-run restaurant Enfields Kitchen, you’ll prepare and serve meals to paying customers.
Check out how we are embedding sustainability throughout our catering courses:
When you have successfully completed the qualification you will have the skills and knowledge to enter the world of work or you can continue your learning by progressing to Level 2 or an apprenticeship.
There will be a cost for the uniform and a set of professional knives.
We’ll let you know the price during the enrolment process.
All items can be purchased through the college’s preferred suppliers, ensuring you get the best rates.
Funding support is available to those who meet the eligibiity criteria to help cover the cost.
Please ask us more about this at our enrolment events.
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 2246 or email us at [email protected]
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.