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This qualification will develop you skills, techniques and knowledge to an advanced level. You will have the opportunity to work with quality ingredients such as fish, meat, poultry, vegetables and sauces which are made into starters, main courses, sauces and garnishes. The products you produce will cover preparation and cooking skills before finishing and presenting dishes which incorporate classic and modern techniques. Throughout the course you will be trained by qualified industry trained Chefs, work with our local employers and be introduced to many of our industry partners who are keen to support the development of young chefs for the industry. If you are serious about a career in the Hospitality and Culinary Arts industry this is a natural progression route after Level 2 Culinary skills. This course will build your confidence and craft skills to assist in supporting you to gain employment as a professional chef in the industry.

  • What will I study?

    The units you will study are likely to include:

    Core Units:

    • Legal and social responsibilities in the professional kitchen
    • Stocks, soups and sauces
    • Fruit and vegetables
    • Meat and offal
    • Poultry and game
    • Fish and shellfish

    To support the development of these skills, you will also undertake the following topics:

    • Food safety
    • Social responsibility in a professional kitchen
    • Sustainability
    • Gastronomy

    All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is ideal for you if you have an interest in catering and wish to gain a Level 3 qualfication which covers in-depth understanding and advanced skills, you could take a position as a professional chef in the main section of a professional kitchen.

    Students achieving this qualification are likely to move quickly into an unsupervised role such as Chef or Demi-chef de Partie.

    By choosing this qualification, you will likely have made the decision that your career direction will be as a professional chef, but have decided that the skills and qualities to work in patisserie are not for you. Undertaking this qualification gives you proof of advanced skills and thus an increased opportunity for employment.

  • How is the course assessed?

    To gain this qualification, candidates must successfully achieve the following assessments:

    Graded assignments in both supervisory skills and gastronomy

    Written and practical tests in the following subjects;

    Meat and offal Poultry and game Vegetable and vegetarian dishes Fish and shellfish

    Final Synoptic exam showcasing skills learned throughout the year

  • Your Study Programme

    If you are aged 16-18, you will join a Study Programme this could be a vocational or technical qualification. We will make sure you are working at the right level on your core qualification and are challenged to achieve the highest level of qualification you can.

    Work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment. You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career.

    If you have chosen to study for a T Level qualification, this will involve college-based theory and practice lessons along with relevant work placement to enable you to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for.

    Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual progress or support needs.

    All students will continue to improve their maths and English and if you don't have a grade 4 at GCSE, we will work with you towards achieving that goal (subject to specific entry requirements for particular courses).

  • Knowledge

    You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:

    • How external factors such as trends, business strategy and the environment influence the development of dishes and menus

    • Advanced food preparation and cooking to produce complex dishes and menu items that meet business and customer requirements

    • The importance of maintaining food safety practices and procedures to ensure safe preparation and cooking of food
  • Skills

    You will have the ability to:

    • Work as part of a team to provide a unique dining experience

    • Organise, multitask and manage time well

    • Be creative, with a willingness to learn and self-develop
  • Behaviours

    What is required?

    • Solve problems while working in a challenging, time-critical environment and remain calm under pressure

    • Maintain high standards and promote a customer-centric culture

    • Support colleagues, customers and the business
  • General info

    You will need a clean, pressed chefs uniform when working in the kitchen together with safety shoes. Details will be sent out when agreed with the uniform supplier. Financial help may be available through the College's bursary fund.

  • Progression and Career Opportunities

    There is an opportunity to attend a foundation degree at university

    Alternatively, you could enter employment at Commis or Chef de Partie positions.

  • Entry Requirements for new students

    You will need to have achieved the Level 2 Diploma Professional Cookery (Chef). You will also need to have achieved GCSE English and maths at grade 3.

    Those with experience of working with a wide range of commodities in the preparation, cooking and presentation of dishes may apply - however, you will need to satisfactorily demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to study at this level.

  • Admissions Process

    We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
    Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.