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Free Level 1 Professional Cookery Course in Hammersmith and Fulham

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 1
DeliveryClassroom based
Start7 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 1 Professional Cookery Course in Hammersmith and Fulham. Classes run at Hammersmith & Fulham College, full-time during the day. The course runs for one year and covers core cooking techniques, from boiling and steaming to roasting, grilling, and frying. You'll also study food safety and hygiene standards used in professional kitchens. Hands-on practice takes place in the college's TASTE Restaurant, which serves real lunchtime and evening services open to the public. To enrol, you'll need four GCSEs at grade 2 or above (including English and maths), or Functional Skills in English and maths at Entry Level 3.

Who this course is for

16-18 year olds and Adults (19+)

Entry requirements

We recommend that you have:

FourGCSEs at grade 2 or above, including English and maths or Functional Skills in English and maths at Entry Level 3

At enrolment, you will have an interview with our course tutors to ensure the course is right for you. You may also need to complete an initial assessment in English and maths, depending on your grades.

What you will learn

  • You'll practise boiling, poaching, and steaming to produce dishes with precise textures and flavours.
  • You'll develop stewing and braising skills for slow-cooked, flavour-rich dishes.
  • You'll learn baking, roasting, and grilling across a range of sweet and savoury dishes.
  • You'll master deep frying and shallow frying techniques used across professional menus.
  • You'll apply food safety and hygiene standards required in catering environments.
  • You'll gain kitchen experience through live restaurant service at the college's TASTE Restaurant.

How you will learn

You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions in a professional kitchen environment, including live service at the college's TASTE Restaurant. Classroom-based teaching covers food safety and underpinning culinary knowledge. Assessment combines practical tasks and written work. At enrolment, you'll have a tutor interview to confirm the course is right for you, and you may complete an initial assessment in English and maths depending on your grades.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Hammersmith & Fulham College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Commis chef: entry-level kitchen role in restaurants and hotels
  • Kitchen assistant: supporting food preparation in catering operations
  • Catering assistant: food service in schools, hospitals, or workplace canteens
  • Café or bistro cook: preparing dishes in smaller food service settings
  • Hotel kitchen staff: working across breakfast, lunch, or dinner service

What you could study next

  • Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds): the natural next step, covering more advanced techniques and preparation for skilled kitchen roles.
  • Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering: a standalone food hygiene qualification that many employers ask for.
  • Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery: for those aiming toward senior chef or chef de partie roles in professional kitchens.
Apply on wlc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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