Hospitality

VTCT Accelerated 1/2 Diploma in Professional Cookery/Diploma in Professional Food and Beverage Services Skills
With hands-on learning in the College’s Seed restaurant and well-equipped training kitchen, this course sharpens chef skills and customer service expertise for use in professional restaurant settings.
Is this course right for me?
This one year full-time course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of all sectors of the hospitality and catering industry.
The hospitality industry is a diverse sector that offers lots of job opportunities across the UK and internationally from independent coffee shops to luxury hotels and cruise liners. The industry needs trained chefs and customer-focused front of house professionals to meet the growing demands of the sector.
Gain hands-on experience working in the College’s professional kitchens and restaurant which is open to the public, providing a real-world insight into the industry.
What are the entry requirements?
- Two GCSEs at grade D or above (may include one relevant equivalent) to include English Language/First Language Welsh
- 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 programme (including skills) and decision from progression board meeting
What will I learn?
Units will include:
Professional Cookery
- Nutritional and special diets in catering
- Kitchen operations, costs and menu planning
- Developing skills for employment in catering and hospitality industry
- Food safety in catering
- Health and safety in catering
- Prepare and cook:
• Sauces, soups and stocks
• vegetables and pulses
• meat and offal
• poultry
• fish and shellfish
• rice, pasta, grains and egg dishes
• desserts and puddings
• bakery products
Food and Beverage Service Skills
- Legislation in food and beverage services
- Principles of beverage and product knowledge
- Serve hot beverages
- Food and beverage service skills
- Customer service
- Maintain and deal with payments
Will I need to study additional English & Maths skills?
You may need to study an additional skills course depending on:
- the course you are taking at College
- what grades you gained in your GCSE Maths and/or English Language
Click below to find out what skills course you may be taking at College.
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses:
- Upskilling Destination Programme – an hour and half session a week developing essential research skills, critical thinking, and academic writing techniques, supporting literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and employability skills
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses and those who have progressed through the internal progression route:
- A one year GCSE Resit Programme in GCSE Mathematics Intermediate Tier (Welsh or English medium) / GCSE English Language
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses and those who have progressed through the internal progression route:
- A one or two year pre-GCSE upskilling course in required subject/s – The priority of this programme (Foundation Maths for Mathematics pathway) is to build fundamental skill and knowledge, to prepare learners for progression onto the one-year, intermediate tier resit programme.
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
All other courses:
- A one year pre-GCSE upskilling course in mathematics – The priority of this programme is to build fundamental skill and knowledge, to prepare learners for progression to the Foundation Maths programme.
If you are studying a Workbased qualification:
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications
All other courses:
- Upskilling Destination Programme – an hour and half session a week developing essential research skills, critical thinking, and academic writing techniques, supporting literacy, numeracy, digital literacy and employability skills
- A one year GCSE resit course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
For English:
- A one or two year pre-GCSE upskilling course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
For Maths:
- A one year GCSE resit course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
- A two year pre-GCSE upskilling course in required subject/s
- Essential Skills Wales (ESW) in Application of Number and Communications, for Progression pathway programmes within the Built Environment Faculty only
Learners studying on a Jobs Growth Wales (JGW+) programme will be timetabled into literacy and numeracy sessions. To discuss the opportunity of attending a GCSE resit programme, in addition to their JGW+ timetable, please contact skills@pembrokeshire.ac.uk
Can I do this course in Welsh?
Learners have the option to complete course assessment/assignments or elements of the course through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. Visit our Welsh Language in the College page to find out what else is available to you.
How will I be assessed?
- Continuous assessment during the course
- Practical assessment during the course
- Portfolio of evidence
- Practical examination
- Written examination
What can I do next?
Successful completion of this course and progression to a higher level programme 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, Pastry Chef, Trainee Manager, Chef de Partie.
The next level would be Level 3 Professional Cookery or Level 3 Food & Beverage Service Supervision.
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
- It would be beneficial, but not essential, to bring your own device/laptop to support your studies
- Hospitality and Catering Equipment and Uniform - this includes the basics you will need during the course and into the future - £350
- 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 £45 hospitality workshop fee each year before you start the Level 2 course
- 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.