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Free Level 1 Culinary Skills Course in Bury Saint Edmunds

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
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About this course

Free Level 1 Culinary Skills Course in Bury Saint Edmunds. Classes run at West Suffolk College, full-time during the day.

The course covers food preparation and cookery, pastry work, and restaurant service skills. You'll also develop practical techniques across a range of cooking methods. Entry requires at least one GCSE at grade C or above and one at grade D or above, including English, or relevant industry experience. Applicants attend an interview and take a short basic skills test. The course runs over one year.

You'll finish with a City and Guilds Certificate in Introduction to Culinary Skills.

Who this course is for

Whether you're into sauteing, stirring, serving, smiling, or shaking cocktails, this course will provide you with the fundamental foundation training for employment or further education within the hospitality industry and offers a great first step to someone who has strong practical skills with managerial potential.This course is designed to produce the future crafts people in the catering industry, it concentrates on; food preparation and cookery, pastry work, restaurant service skills plus the theory underpinning these areas. It also includes food safety studies (achievement of the basic certificate associated with this must be attained during your first term) and other core skills such as communication, numeracy, organisational and investigative skills.You'll gain practical experience training in our purpose-built kitchens and upmarket restaurant, Edmunds, where you'll learn how to prepare and cook a variety of fresh foods, provide outstanding customer service and friendly reception duties, alongside food and beverage service techniques.

Entry requirements

At least one GCSE at grade C or above and one at grade D or above to include English, or relevant experience within the industry. Applicants will be required to attend an interview and provide a positive school report, as well as take a short test in basic skills. GCSE in Food Technology is an advantage. In addition, a successful induction period will be required to identify which Level 1 pathway is appropriate for each student.

What you will learn

  • You'll practise food preparation and cookery techniques.
  • You'll develop pastry-making skills.
  • You'll learn restaurant service skills.
  • You'll explore a range of cooking methods, including sautéing.
  • You'll build an understanding of kitchen hygiene and food safety.
  • You'll gain an introduction to hospitality and catering environments.

How you will learn

You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions in a kitchen environment. Classes are classroom and kitchen based, full-time during the day. Assessment includes practical work and short tests. A successful induction period helps identify the right Level 1 pathway for you.

What you will need to bring

West Suffolk College will confirm what you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Kitchen Assistant, supports food preparation in a professional kitchen.
  • Kitchen Porter, keeps the kitchen clean and running smoothly.
  • Catering Assistant, helps prepare and serve food in catering settings.
  • Chef, a longer-term goal that typically needs further qualifications and experience beyond this course.

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery, the natural next step for those wanting to develop cooking skills further.
  • Level 2 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service, suits those drawn toward front-of-house and hospitality roles.
  • Level 2 Hospitality Team Member Apprenticeship, lets you earn while you learn in a real hospitality setting.
Apply on wsc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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