If you have a passion for food and would like a career in professional cookery, this year-long, nationally recognised qualification, will help you develop the skills and knowledge that this fast-paced industry requires.
If you have a passion for food and would like a career in professional cookery, this year-long, nationally recognised qualification, will help you develop the skills and knowledge that this fast-paced industry requires.
We offer this course as a certificate.
You will train in our professional standard kitchens, studying techniques in preparing and cooking different kinds of dishes and investigating their cookery methods. You’ll also gain an insight to the hospitality and catering industry as well as health & safety and food safety.
This is an exciting course that will give you the skills, confidence and motivation to work in an industry that is increasingly popular.
The units are designed for you to gain the basic skills and knowledge to work in any professional kitchen.
All learners will complete Functional Skills dependent on their GCSE grades.
Below is a taste of some of the skill units you will achieve:
Start Date
September 2026
Entry Requirements & Interview Process
Students must possess 4 GCSEs at Grade 3 or above
Applicants will be interviewed and asked to complete a dexterity assessment. You will be required to bring in any previous qualifications and experience. The interview process involves a formal interview as well as a skills test.
Applicants will be expected to find a work placement for at least one day a week.
This is also on completion on the Level 2 Certificate.
Progression
This qualification will provide you with the basic skills and knowledge to be self-sufficient and/or work in a professional kitchen.
The ideal route would be either to progress onto VRQ Level 2 Professional Cookery or an NVQ in a Professional Cookery Apprenticeship.
Assessment Methods
VRQs are broken down into Craft and Non-Craft Units.
Craft units are assessed by short answer questions for knowledge and, for practical skills, a series of tests in both pastry and kitchen and larder disciplines.
Course Fees
This course is free for students age 16 – 18.
Calderdale College has a set of standard entry requirements. Apply for the course you want to study and we will help you get there.
There are a lot of courses available – work focused, practical and academic so it is important to think about the future and whether you want to proceed to university, move onto another course or get a job. We offer BTECs, Apprenticeships, T Levels, NVQs, VRQs, Degree Level Courses and more.
If you’re still not sure, don’t worry, just speak to a member of our advice and guidance team who will advise you.
