Free Level 2 Food and Cookery Skills in Ashford. Classes run at Ashford Gateway Plus, full-time during the day. This food and cookery skills course covers the practical knowledge and techniques you need to work in a café, kitchen, or wider hospitality setting. You'll study for around 11 months, building the skills employers look for in entry-level catering and kitchen roles. 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 cooking techniques used in professional kitchens.
You'll learn how to maintain food hygiene and safety standards.
You'll practise working with a range of ingredients and cooking methods.
You'll understand how to present and serve food to a professional standard.
You'll explore the skills needed for café and hospitality environments.
You'll build awareness of kitchen workflows and teamwork in a catering setting.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Ashford Gateway Plus, combining practical cookery activities with underpinning knowledge. Assessment is carried out through a combination of practical tasks and written or portfolio-based work. Your progress is assessed throughout the course rather than through a single end exam.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Ashford Gateway Plus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Chef (commis or kitchen assistant): entry-level kitchen roles in restaurants and cafés.
Café assistant: front-of-house and basic food preparation work.
Catering assistant: food prep and service in schools, hospitals, or events.
Kitchen porter: supporting kitchen teams in professional catering environments.
Food service assistant: serving and presenting food in hospitality settings.
What you could study next
Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery: the next step if you want to move into more skilled chef roles and take on greater kitchen responsibility.
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering (Highfield or CIEH): a short compliance qualification many hospitality employers ask for.
Level 2 Hospitality Team Member Apprenticeship: combines on-the-job training with a recognised qualification in a live hospitality setting.
