Free Level 1 Culinary Skills Course in Manchester. Classes run at Harpurhey Campus, full-time during the day, over one year. You'll build a strong foundation in professional cookery, covering a range of cooking methods including stewing, braising, roasting, grilling, deep frying, and baking. The course also covers food safety and health and safety in the kitchen. You'll be supported in finding a work placement as part of your studies. Assessment is through practical work and theory tests.
Who this course is for
The Culinary Skills qualifications can help you become a chef or
progress to a more senior chef's role. You'll gain a high standard of
cookery skills and have the option to learn other workplace
essentials like health and safety in a kitchen.
The Culinary Skills qualifications are for anyone who works or
wants to work as a chef in the catering and hospitality sector. It is
ideal for learners coming straight from school who wish to seek a
career in this industry. It is also ideal for those chefs in industry who
would like to continue or refresh their knowledge by undertaking
topics within the qualification.
This qualification is based on the national occupational standards
for professional cookery and includes all the required elements to
work effectively as a professional chef. Learners must achieve all
mandatory units which include:
Food safety, Health & Safety awareness, prepare, cook food by
stewing, braising, poaching, steaming, deep frying, shallow frying,
baking, roasting, Grilling, producing pate based goods, fermented
dough products
What you will learn
You'll prepare and cook food using methods including stewing, braising, poaching, and steaming.
You'll prepare and cook food using deep frying, shallow frying, baking, roasting, and grilling.
You'll produce pastry-based goods and fermented dough products.
You'll apply food safety practices in a kitchen environment.
You'll follow health and safety procedures relevant to catering work.
How you will learn
You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions in the kitchen alongside classroom-based theory. Assessment is through practical assessments and theory test papers. Work experience is a required part of the course; you'll be supported in finding a relevant placement.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Harpurhey Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Chef: entry-level kitchen roles in restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
Kitchen assistant: supporting chefs in food preparation and service.
Catering assistant: food preparation in schools, hospitals, or workplace canteens.
Commis chef: the starting point for how to become a chef in professional kitchens.
What you could study next
Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Culinary Skills: the natural next step, deepening your cookery skills and opening more kitchen roles.
Level 2 Certificate in Food and Beverage Service Skills: if you want to move into front-of-house work alongside kitchen experience.
Level 2 Certificate in Patisserie and Confectionery: a specialist route into pastry and baking.
