Professional Cookery
Professional Cookery
VRQ Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery
This qualification is ideal for those aspiring to achieve high standards of performance in culinary and patisserie skills and for those who are looking to progress to supervisory level in hospitality and catering. The course will also work on building your customer service and front of house skills to enable you to progress in this dynamic sector.
Is this course right for me?
Level 3 is ideal if you’ve worked in a professional kitchen for some time, or have a Level 2 qualification. Your work might involve supervising others or managing resources. You want to develop your skills further, perhaps to become a specialist chef or move into a management role.
Hygiene and health and safety requirements:
- All visible tattoos must be covered
- All visible piercings must be removed
- No jewellery allowed, except for a wedding band and one pair of stud earrings
- Hair must be groomed and tied back
Hospitality Courses Guide
What are the entry requirements?
- There is normally no direct entry to this course, you would need to progress from the successful completion of previous level in this subject area or similar
- You will be expected to be in relevant job role
- Good personal presentation and communication skills are required
- Each application is considered on individual merit
- Entry is subject to attending a course information session or informal interview
Current student - what are the entry requirements?
- Successful completion of relevant Level 2 programme (including skills) and decision from progression board meeting
What will I learn?
Units to be studied include:
- The principles of food safety supervision for catering
- Supervisory skills in the hospitality industry
- Exploring gastronomy
- Advanced skills and techniques in producing vegetable and vegetarian dishes
- Advanced skills and techniques in producing meat dishes
- Advanced skills and techniques in producing poultry and game dishes
- Advanced skills and techniques in producing fish and shellfish dishes
- Produce biscuit cake and sponges
- Produce dough and batter products
- Produce hot cold and frozen desserts
- Produce paste products
- Produce petits fours
- Food product development
You will also undertake a work placement at least one day per week in a suitable hospitality and catering establishment.
Will I need to study additional English & Maths skills?
- the course you are taking at College
- what grades you gained in your GCSE Maths and/or English Language
If you are studying a construction/trade course (brickwork, carpentry, electrical or plumbing):
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications
All other courses:
- Wales Essential Skills Toolkit (WEST) in upskilling / Lessons in Financial Education
- A one year GCSE resit course in required subject/s
- A one or two year pre-GCSE upskilling course
- A one year GCSE START upskilling course
Can I do this course in Welsh?
How will I be assessed?
- Continuous assessment during the course
- Practical assessment during the course
- Portfolio of evidence
- Workplace evidence
What can I do next?
Successful completion of this course could lead to a number of future career opportunities including: Junior Sous Chef, Kitchen Porter, Larder Chef, Food and Beverage Assistant, Head Chef, Sous Chef, Commis Chef, Patisserie Chef, Trainee Manager, Chef de Partie, Demi Chef.
Do I need to bring/buy any equipment?
- Stationery - you will be told about any specific items before you start the course
- Textbooks - you will be told about any specific items before you start the course, most textbooks are available to loan from the college library or online libraries
- You will need to bring your own device/laptop for this course, click here to find out more
- Catering knife set - this includes the basics you will need during the course and into the future - £90
- Catering Level 3 clothing - £15/£20
- Additional Hospitality and Catering clothing and equipment may need to be purchased to supplement/replace existing
- You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page
Any costs above are approximate and may change.
Are there any additional costs?
- No tuition fee
- We are waiving the Administration Fee for the academic year 2025/26
- You will need to pay a £55 hospitality workshop fee each year before you start the Level 3 course
- During the course there will be additional costs for consumables
- You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page
Any costs above are approximate and may change.
Additional information
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Sports Academy: While on this course you may be able to join our Sports Academy, if you have a talent for sport, find out what we offer on our Sports Academy page.
