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Free Level 2 Culinary Skills Course in Manchester – Harpurhey Campus

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start6 Sep 2027
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Culinary Skills course in Manchester. Classes run at Harpurhey Campus, full-time during the day, over one year. You'll need some basic skills and experience in a kitchen to join. The course covers health and safety, menu planning, and preparing and cooking a wide range of dishes, from stocks and sauces to desserts, pastry, and fermented dough products. Work experience is a core part of the programme, and the centre will support you in finding a relevant placement.

Who this course is for

If you have basic skills and experience as a chef, this Level 2 Diploma in Culinary Skills will suit you. Upon completion of this course you will have the skills required to succeed in more senior culinary roles.

Topics include:

  • Health and safety in catering and hospitality
  • Healthier food and special diets
  • Catering operations, costs and menu planning
  • Prepare and cook stocks, soups and sauces
  • Prepare and cook fruit and vegetables
  • Prepare and cook meat and offal
  • Prepare and cook poultry
  • Prepare and cook fish and shellfish
  • Prepare and cook rice, pasta, grains and egg dishes
  • Produce hot and cold desserts and puddings
  • Produce paste products
  • Produce biscuit, cake and sponge products
  • Produce fermented dough products

Students completing this course will gain work experience in The Manchester College’s restaurant, complete 20 hours’ work placement with an employer partner, and will work in partnership with The Chefs’ Forum.

What you will learn

  • You'll apply health and safety practices in catering and hospitality environments.
  • You'll plan menus and manage catering operations and costs.
  • You'll prepare and cook stocks, soups, and sauces.
  • You'll prepare and cook meat, offal, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
  • You'll prepare and cook vegetables, fruit, rice, pasta, grains, and egg dishes.
  • You'll produce hot and cold desserts, puddings, and paste products.
  • You'll produce biscuit, cake, sponge, and fermented dough products.
  • You'll understand healthier food options and special dietary requirements.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions and hands-on practical work. Assessment is through practical assignments and a written theory exam. Work experience is a required part of the course, and the centre will help you find a placement that fits your studies.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Harpurhey Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Chef: prepare and cook dishes across a range of settings.
  • Commis chef: entry-level kitchen role supporting senior chefs.
  • Cook: prepare meals in schools, care homes, or hospitality venues.
  • Kitchen assistant: support the kitchen team with food preparation.
  • Catering assistant: assist with food service in catering operations.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery: the natural next step if you want to develop into more senior chef roles. This is the qualification the provider recommends on completion.
  • Apprenticeship in Professional Cookery: combine work and study to build on your Level 2 skills in a paid role.
Apply on tmc.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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