Free Level 1 Professional Cookery Course in Burton-on-Trent. Classes run at Burton Town Centre Campus, full-time during the day. You'll spend the year building practical kitchen skills alongside food and beverage service experience, working in the campus's commercial kitchens and Mulberry Restaurant. The course covers food preparation, cookery processes, customer service, barista skills, and handling payments. You'll also gain a Level 2 Award in Food Safety. Entry requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade G or above, or an Entry Level 3 or Level 1 Functional Skills equivalent in English and maths, plus a successful interview and initial assessment.
Who this course is for
You will gain a good grounding in the fundamentals of professional cookery, alongside food and beverage service. During the study programme, you will work within the College’s commercial kitchens and Mulberry restaurant. In addition, you will gain a Level 2 award in Food Safety.
Entry requirements
Minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade G or above (or Entry 3/Level 1 Functional Skills equivalent in English and maths); successful interview and initial assessment; successful completion of Entry Level programme (progressing learners).
What you will learn
You'll practise food preparation and cookery techniques across a range of modern dishes.
You'll learn cookery processes used in professional kitchen environments.
You'll develop food and beverage service skills in a working restaurant setting.
You'll handle customer care and service in a front-of-house role.
You'll process payments and manage customer transactions.
You'll build barista skills, including coffee preparation and service.
You'll study food safety, earning a Level 2 Award in Food Safety.
How you will learn
You'll learn through hands-on practice in professional commercial kitchens and the Mulberry Restaurant on campus. Classroom sessions cover the knowledge side of cookery and hospitality. Assessment combines practical tasks in the kitchen and restaurant with written or knowledge-based elements. The Level 2 Food Safety Award is assessed separately as part of the programme.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Burton Town Centre Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Chef de partie: section cook in a professional kitchen.
Commis chef: entry-level kitchen role, how to become a chef starts here.
Kitchen assistant: supporting food preparation in catering or hospitality.
Catering assistant: food service in schools, hospitals, or workplace canteens.
Barista: coffee preparation and front-of-house service in cafes.
Food and beverage assistant: serving and customer care in restaurants or hotels.
What you could study next
Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds): the next step for kitchen work, building on the skills and processes covered at Level 1.
Level 2 Diploma in Food and Beverage Service: if the front-of-house side of the course is where your interest lies.
Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Cookery: for those aiming toward senior kitchen roles and head chef positions.
