Free Level 3 Professional Cookery Course in Nottingham. Classes run at Nottingham College City Hub, full-time during the day. Over one year, you'll develop advanced cookery techniques, learn to design dishes and menus, and build supervisory skills for working in a professional kitchen. You'll get hands-on time in commercial outlets and work placements alongside industry chefs. To join, you'll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 - 4 including English and Maths, a relevant Level 2 vocational qualification with those subjects, or relevant industry experience.
Who this course is for
This course is perfect you love to cook, have a creative flair and want to further develop your cooking skills to move into a supervisory role within a professional kitchen.
Entry requirements
You'll need 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A-C) including English Language and Maths, one of which must be at grades 9-4 or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and maths. You can also gain a place by having a relevant Level 2 vocational qualification with English Language and maths, one of which must be at grades 9-4. Relevant industry experience may also be considered.
What you will learn
You'll develop advanced cooking techniques across a range of dishes and cuisines.
You'll learn to combine ingredients and flavours to create original menus.
You'll build supervisory skills for leading a small kitchen team.
You'll deepen your knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety in catering environments.
You'll gain practical experience serving customers in a live commercial setting.
You'll complete industry work placements in professional kitchens.
You'll build a logbook evidencing your skills and competence throughout the course.
How you will learn
Learning is mainly practical and hands-on, built around compiling a logbook of evidence. You'll cook in commercial outlets, supervise a small team, and serve real menus to customers. Theory is woven in alongside the practical work. Assessment is through your logbook, practical observation, and work placement evidence, as required for the City and Guilds NVQ Diploma.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Nottingham College City Hub 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 a brigade.
Junior sous chef: assists in managing kitchen operations and staff.
Kitchen supervisor: oversees a small team during service.
Restaurant cook: prepares and delivers menus in a restaurant setting.
Catering supervisor: manages food production in contract or institutional catering.
What you could study next
Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts (City and Guilds) - moves into advanced culinary techniques and kitchen management.
Level 3 Award in Food Safety in Catering (Highfield or CIEH) - a short compliance qualification valued by employers in regulated food environments.
Apprenticeship as a Senior Chef Production Cooking (Level 3) - earn while you work and consolidate your skills in a paid kitchen role.
