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Level 1 Cookery Course in Leicester

CostAnnual Tuition Fee: GBP1680.00. Material Fee: GBP150.00. Resident Fee: GBP30.00. Additional costs may apply and concessions may be available. Please click on GO TO COURSE or call 0116 224 2240 or email [email protected] for more information.
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
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About this course

Level 1 Culinary Skills Course in Leicester. Classes run at Leicester College Freemen's Park Campus, full-time during the day. This level 1 culinary skills qualification takes one year to complete. You'll develop practical cooking skills across a range of dishes, from fresh bread and desserts to savoury products, always working with fresh produce. The course also includes 15 hours of work experience and team-building activities to build your employability.

Who this course is for

This course is designed to introduce you to the exciting opportunities within food production, a key area within the Hospitality and Catering Industry.

As well as developing basic practical cooking skills you will boost your employability through team-building experience and develop a wider understanding of the requirements for a higher-level course in college, or employment in the food industry at the operative level. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a range of competitions, helping you develop your resilience and ability to work under pressure.

As part of the course requirements, you'll engage in a 15-hour work experience program aimed at honing essential employability skills and preparing you for the next phase of your career journey (scheduled between October and May of the following year). Our dedicated work placement team is available to provide support throughout this process.

Additionally, you'll take part in activities geared towards personal development, fostering character growth, and building confidence essential for thriving in both personal and professional fields.

For individuals aged 16-19, these activities, along with the work experience program, are scheduled into your timetable, with the option to participate in supplementary activities.

For other age groups, activities will be tailored to meet specific needs and requirements.

What you will learn

  • You'll prepare a range of dishes using fresh ingredients, including bread, desserts, pies, and savoury products.
  • You'll develop knife skills and core cooking techniques used in professional kitchens.
  • You'll learn food hygiene and safety practices relevant to working in catering.
  • You'll build teamwork skills through group cooking tasks and kitchen service.
  • You'll gain experience working under pressure through competitions and timed tasks.
  • You'll complete a 15-hour work placement to practise skills in a real catering environment.
  • You'll develop an understanding of what higher-level catering courses and food industry roles involve.

How you will learn

You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions in a professional kitchen environment, alongside classroom-based theory. Assessment includes practical cooking tasks, written work, and ongoing observation throughout the year. The 15-hour work experience placement also forms part of the course requirements. Full-time daytime attendance is expected, with classes running 9am to 5pm.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Leicester College Freemen's Park Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Kitchen assistant: supporting chefs with food prep and service
  • Catering assistant: working in school, hospital, or workplace kitchens
  • Food production operative: preparing food in a production or manufacturing setting
  • Commis chef: entry-level chef role in a restaurant or hotel kitchen
  • Café or canteen assistant: serving and preparing food in a café setting

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery: the natural next step if you want to work as a chef or progress to a skilled kitchen role.
  • Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering: a short qualification many employers require before you start kitchen work.
  • Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Cookery: for those aiming toward senior chef or supervisory kitchen roles after completing Level 2.
Apply on leicestercollege.ac.uk →
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