Free Level 3 Professional Cookery Course in Leeds. Classes run at Leeds City College Printworks Campus. This is a full-time daytime course, running over one year. You'll develop the skills needed to work as a professional chef in the catering and hospitality sector. The course covers advanced cooking techniques, kitchen management, and professional standards.
Who this course is for
This qualification is designed for those who want to work as professional chefs in the catering and hospitality sector.
What you will learn
You'll develop advanced cooking techniques across a range of cuisines.
You'll learn how to plan and prepare menus for professional kitchen environments.
You'll practise food safety and hygiene standards required in commercial kitchens.
You'll understand kitchen management, including stock control and resource planning.
You'll work with professional-grade equipment used in catering and hospitality settings.
You'll build knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements relevant to professional cookery.
How you will learn
You'll learn through practical, hands-on sessions in a professional kitchen environment alongside classroom-based study. Assessment for the City and Guilds NVQ Diploma combines observed practical performance, written assignments, and a portfolio of evidence. Your assessor will observe you working in real kitchen conditions and review your portfolio throughout the course.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Leeds City College Printworks Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Chef de partie: runs a specific section in a professional kitchen
Commis chef: entry-level role supporting senior chefs in restaurants or hotels
Sous chef: second-in-command in a kitchen, managing day-to-day operations
Kitchen supervisor: oversees kitchen staff and maintains service standards
Catering manager: manages food production and teams in large catering operations
Private chef: prepares meals for individuals, families, or corporate clients
What you could study next
Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts: deepens expertise in advanced techniques and kitchen leadership, suited to those aiming for senior chef roles.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Management: broadens into the management side of hospitality, useful if you want to move into supervisory or operational roles.
Apprenticeship (Chef de Partie or Sous Chef): earn while you work and gain structured on-the-job experience in a professional kitchen.
