Post A Job
Advertise Courses
Search Jobs
Search Courses

Free Level 2 Professional Cookery Course in Durham

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyCity & Guilds awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Professional Cookery Course in Durham. Classes run at New College Durham's Framwellgate Moor Campus, full-time during the day. This professional cookery qualification covers the core skills and knowledge needed for a career in catering and hospitality. The course runs for one year and has been developed with industry specialists to reflect what employers actually need. Whether you're aiming for your first kitchen role or building toward further study, these professional cookery classes give you a solid foundation.

Who this course is for

Course may be subject to change.

This course will help you develop the basic skills and knowledge for further study or to prepare you for a career within the catering and hospitality industry.

It is perfect for individuals who would like to gain employment as a professional chef as it has been designed in consultation with industry specialists to ensure you are gaining the skills required by the industry.

Entry requirements

Please refer to College website.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop knife skills and safe food preparation techniques.
  • You'll learn how to cook a range of dishes using professional methods.
  • You'll understand food hygiene and kitchen safety standards.
  • You'll practise stock, sauce, and soup preparation.
  • You'll learn how to prepare and cook meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables.
  • You'll understand portion control, presentation, and plating.
  • You'll gain knowledge of how a professional kitchen operates.

How you will learn

You'll learn through hands-on practical sessions in a professional kitchen environment, alongside classroom-based theory. Assessment includes practical cooking tasks, written assignments, and observations of your skills in the kitchen. You'll be assessed on both your technical ability and your understanding of catering principles.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. New College Durham will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Chef de partie: section chef in a professional kitchen
  • Commis chef: entry-level role in restaurants and hotels
  • Kitchen assistant: supporting chefs in food preparation
  • Catering assistant: food preparation in schools, hospitals, or events
  • Short-order cook: fast-paced café or canteen cooking
  • Pastry assistant: supporting pastry chefs in bakeries or hotels

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds): the next step if you want to move into senior kitchen roles or specialise further.
  • Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery: a work-based route that builds on your Level 2 skills while you're employed in a kitchen.
  • Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering: a short compliance qualification many employers require alongside a cookery diploma.
Apply on newcollegedurham.ac.uk →
Apply now →

Related courses at New College Durham

More courses near you