Free Level 1 Professional Cookery Course in Hartlepool. Classes run at Hartlepool College of Further Education, full-time during the day. This professional cookery qualification covers the core skills used in commercial kitchens, from food preparation and cooking techniques to kitchen hygiene and safety. The course runs for 385 hours. You'll come away with a solid grounding in hospitality and catering work.
Who this course is for
This course is aimed at school leavers programmes who may wish to enter the Hospitality area of employment.
What you will learn
You'll prepare and cook a range of dishes using professional kitchen methods.
You'll follow food hygiene and safety procedures used in commercial kitchens.
You'll handle, store, and prepare ingredients correctly.
You'll use and care for professional kitchen equipment.
You'll work as part of a kitchen team under realistic service conditions.
You'll understand how a professional kitchen is organised and run.
How you will learn
You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions in a kitchen environment, alongside classroom-based theory. Assessment includes practical observations, where an assessor watches you carry out kitchen tasks, and written or short-answer questions to check your understanding of food safety and cookery principles. Your progress is assessed throughout the course rather than in a single final exam.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Hartlepool College of Further Education will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Kitchen assistant: supporting chefs in a professional kitchen
Commis chef: entry-level cooking role in restaurants or hotels
Catering assistant: food preparation in schools, hospitals, or canteens
Fast food or café cook: preparing food in high-volume settings
Hospitality team member: front-of-house or back-of-house catering roles
What you could study next
Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds): the natural next step, covering more advanced techniques and preparing you for a commis chef role.
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering: a short qualification many employers in hospitality expect alongside a cookery qualification.
Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery: for those aiming toward senior chef or chef de partie roles.
