Professional Cookery (and Food Service) VRQ1 Diploma

This course teaches you a variety of catering craft skills to a high standard. It develops your ability to work under pressure and as part of a team in the hospitality industry. Practical work features strongly, supported by cookery theory, hospitality based assignments and question papers. You will work towards a VRQ1 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service and a Diploma in Professional Cookery within realistic working environment of the @thirty-four restaurant and kitchens.

This course is ideal if you would like to be introduced to professional cookery, food service and customer care skills and help develop your work and organisational practices within the catering industry.

The programme includes practical food preparation and cooking, food and beverage service lessons, luncheon production sessions, supported by theoretical assignments and practical examinations. All assessments are graded (pass, merit, distinction).

What topics will study? 

• Introduction to the catering and hospitality industry
• Food safety in catering
• Health and safety awareness for catering and hospitality
• Introduction to healthier foods and special diets
• Introduction to kitchen equipment
• Introduction to personal workplace skills
• Prepare and cook food by boiling, poaching and steaming
• Prepare and cook food by stewing and braising
• Prepare and cook food by baking, roasting and grilling
• Prepare and cook food by deep frying and shallow frying
• Regeneration of pre-prepared foods
• Cold food preparation
• Legislation in food and beverage service
• Understanding menus
• Introduction to personal workplace skills
• Dealing with payments and bookings
• Food and beverage service skills
• Bar skills
• Hot beverage skills

You will:

• Develop a variety of catering craft skills to a high standard
• Work towards a VRQ1 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service and a Diploma in Professional Cookery
• Work within the superbly equipped @thirty-four restaurant and kitchens
• Study different ways to prepare hot and cold food
• Gain an understanding of health and safety and food safety issues
• Learn skills in areas such as dealing with customers, bar service and menu planning

This course is studied on its own and cannot be combined with other courses. Assessment is a combination of assignments and practical examinations.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
Our Level 1 courses all have progression routes into Level 2 full time courses or Apprenticeships. All qualifications also have Level 3 options for progression once you have successfully completed Level 2. Future job roles may include Commis chef or Chef de Partie. Some of our learners travel the world with ski seasons or cruise ships. Some enter the local hospitality industry in pubs, restaurants and hotels while others seek jobs further afield. With our vast range of industry partners we can support our learners with their first full time roles and can also enable incredible work experiences.

For those with prior hospitality qualifications: If you have existing professional hospitality qualifications, please contact the team to discuss the most appropriate qualifications for you to join us on should you have already completed studies elsewhere. We can discuss your needs and find the course that is most suitable for you to join us on, which may be a Level 2 or 3 qualification.

You will need a grade 3 in English Language and Maths. If you don’t have a grade 4 in English and Maths, you will be required to study for this alongside your course. Plus, you will need one GCSE at grade 3 or above, or equivalent.

You must be keen and interested in hospitality and catering and have an aptitude for hospitality skills.

If you have existing professional hospitality qualifications, please contact the team to discuss the most appropriate qualifications for you to join us on should you have already completed studies elsewhere. We can discuss your needs and find the course that is most suitable for you to join us on, which may be a Level 2 or 3 qualification.

The Laurence Building boasts new facilities throughout including an IT suite, modern kitchens and a stunning restaurant within the faculty; as well as being located in comfortable and pleasant surroundings.

There are additional costs to purchase uniform, knives and equipment costing approximately £350.00. This equipment will last you for your entire programme and will positively help start your career in the catering and hospitality sector.