Free Level 2 Food and Cookery Skills in Ashford. Classes run at Ashford Adult Education Centre. This full-time daytime food and cookery skills course covers the practical and theoretical skills needed to work in a café, kitchen, or wider hospitality setting. You'll study over 11 months, building knowledge across food preparation, cookery techniques, and the hospitality industry. The level 2 food and cookery skills qualification is awarded by NCFE.
Who this course is for
Young people who want to learn everything about working in a cafe, or the wider hospitality industry.
What you will learn
You'll develop food preparation and cookery techniques used in professional kitchens.
You'll learn how to work safely and hygienically in a catering environment.
You'll understand the principles of nutrition and how they apply to menu planning.
You'll practise skills relevant to café and hospitality settings.
You'll learn how to present dishes to a professional standard.
You'll explore the structure and expectations of the wider hospitality industry.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Ashford Adult Education Centre, combining practical cookery work with underpinning knowledge. Assessment is carried out through a mix of practical tasks and written or portfolio-based evidence. You'll have an initial assessment before the course begins to confirm that the Level 2 Certificate in Food and Cookery Skills is the right level for you.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Ashford Adult Education Centre will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Chef: entry-level kitchen roles in restaurants, cafés, and canteens.
Café assistant: food preparation and front-of-house service in café settings.
Kitchen assistant: supporting chefs in professional kitchen environments.
Catering assistant: food service roles in schools, hospitals, or events.
Commis chef: junior chef position, a common starting point in hospitality.
What you could study next
Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery: the next step if you want to move into more senior kitchen roles or specialise further.
Level 2 Diploma in Hospitality Services: broadens your skills across the wider hospitality sector, including front-of-house and events.
Functional Skills Maths and English at Level 2: useful alongside any vocational progression and often expected by employers.
