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Level 2 Professional Cookery Course in Portsmouth

CostFree if you're eligible
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start9 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body

Free if you're 19 to 23 and this is your first full Level 2 or if you're on certain benefits. £1,405 tuition if you're not eligible for free funding. Advanced Learner Loan available. Contact City of Portsmouth College for more info.

Apply now →Check if you're eligible

About this course

Level 2 Professional Cookery Course in Portsmouth. Classes run at COPC Highbury Campus. You'll need to have completed the Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Professional Cookery, along with a demonstration of practical ability, before starting. Over one year of full-time daytime study, you'll cover everything from food safety and kitchen operations to preparing and cooking meat, fish, desserts, and more. The City and Guilds professional cookery qualification is a solid step toward working as a chef in the hospitality and catering industry.

Who this course is for

Investigate the Catering and Hospitality industry; Food safety in catering; Health and Safety in catering and hospitality; Healthier foods and special diets; Kitchen operations, costs and menu planning; Applying workplace skills; 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; Prepare and cook desserts and puddings; Prepare and cook bakery products.

Entry requirements

Satisfactory completion of the Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Professional Cookery. Demonstration of practical ability, preferably including some work experience within the hotel and catering industry.

What you will learn

  • You'll explore the catering and hospitality industry, including food safety and health and safety in the kitchen.
  • You'll learn how to plan menus, manage kitchen costs, and apply workplace skills in a professional setting.
  • You'll prepare and cook stocks, soups, and sauces to a professional standard.
  • You'll work with fruit, vegetables, meat, offal, poultry, fish, and shellfish.
  • You'll prepare and cook rice, pasta, grains, and egg dishes.
  • You'll make desserts and puddings using professional techniques.
  • You'll study healthier foods and special diets to meet a range of customer needs.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions and hands-on practical cookery at COPC Highbury Campus. Assessment covers both your practical skills in the kitchen and your knowledge of catering principles. You'll be assessed on your ability to prepare and cook a range of dishes, as well as on topics such as food safety, health and safety, and menu planning.

What you will need to bring

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

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Chef de partie: preparing and cooking specific sections of a professional kitchen.
  • Commis chef: supporting senior chefs across all areas of the kitchen.
  • Kitchen assistant: hands-on food preparation in restaurants, hotels, or catering.
  • Catering assistant: food service and preparation in schools, hospitals, or events.
  • Short-order cook: fast-paced cooking in cafes, diners, or canteens.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds): the next step for those aiming for senior kitchen roles such as sous chef or chef de partie.
  • Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety in Catering Award: useful if you want a standalone food safety qualification recognised by employers.
  • Apprenticeship as a Chef de Partie: combine on-the-job training with further qualifications while earning a wage.
Apply on city-of-portsmouth-college.ac.uk →Check if you're eligible
Apply now →Check if you're eligible

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