Free Level 1 Professional Cookery Course in Hitchin. Classes run at Hitchin Centre, full-time during the day. You'll study food preparation, cooking skills, food safety, and the foundations of working in a professional kitchen. The course runs for 36 weeks. To join, you'll need four GCSEs at grade E or above, including maths and English at grade E or Entry Level Functional Skills. You'll also get hands-on experience through work placements and industry visits.
Who this course is for
Our catering and hospitality courses include lots of opportunities for you to get hands-on experience of the world of work, including:Work experience with businesses like Galvin at Windowsin Park Lane, London and Midsummer House, a two-star Michelin restaurant in Cambridge.Visits to Billingsgate Seafood School, Hanbury Manor and Fine Food FairOur students also undertake visits to places where they can further hone their skills and build contacts with the major players in the industry. For example, Billingsgate Seafood School and trade shows such as Hotelympia.Your course will mainly consist of practical sessions in the skills and production kitchens and Hart Kitchins, our public resturant, with some classroom-based activities. You will work with several local employers through the year.Areas for study include the restaurant, preparing and cooking food by boiling poaching and steaming, stewing and braising, baking, roasting and grilling, deep and shallow frying, regeneration and sold food preparation.
Entry requirements
To join this course, you'll need four GCSEs at grade E or above - including maths and English grade E or entry level functional skills.
What you will learn
You'll practise food preparation and cooking techniques used in professional kitchens.
You'll learn food safety rules and hospitality legislation.
You'll plan menus and understand how kitchens are organised.
You'll develop skills in presenting and finishing dishes.
You'll gain experience through work placements in professional hospitality settings.
You'll build knowledge of ingredients, including seafood and fine food.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom sessions and hands-on practical cooking at Hitchin Centre. Assessment includes practical tasks completed in the kitchen alongside written work. You'll also take part in work experience placements and industry visits, which form part of your learning on the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Hitchin Centre will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Chef de partie: how to become a chef in a professional kitchen
Commis chef: entry-level role preparing and cooking dishes
Kitchen assistant: supporting chefs in a busy catering environment
Catering assistant: food preparation in schools, hospitals, or events
Hospitality team member: front or back of house in hotels and restaurants
What you could study next
Level 2 Professional Cookery: the natural next step, building on your Level 1 skills. The provider requires successful completion of Level 1 or three years of industry experience to join.
Level 3 Professional Cookery: for those aiming for senior kitchen roles or supervisory positions. Requires a Level 2 qualification and maths and English at grade 4 or above.
Apprenticeship in Commis Chef or Chef de Partie: earn while you learn in a working kitchen.
