Level 3 Professional Cookery Course in Merton. Classes run at Merton College, part-time during the day. The course takes one year to complete, fitting around other commitments. You'll develop advanced cooking skills across a range of professional kitchen techniques, working in Merton College's industry-standard kitchens. The City and Guilds Level 3 professional cookery qualification is well regarded by employers in the hospitality and catering sector. Tuition fees apply.
Who this course is for
Please see our website for full details www.stcg.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Please see our website for full details www.stcg.ac.uk
What you will learn
You'll prepare, cook, and present a wide range of dishes to professional standards.
You'll develop skills in meat, fish, poultry, vegetable, and pastry cookery.
You'll apply food safety and hygiene practices in a professional kitchen.
You'll manage your time and workflow during service.
You'll understand kitchen operations, including stock control and waste management.
You'll work as part of a kitchen brigade, taking on real service responsibilities.
How you will learn
Learning is classroom and kitchen-based, combining practical cookery sessions with underpinning knowledge work. You'll be assessed through observed practical tasks in the kitchen, written assignments, and professional discussions. Assessment is ongoing throughout the course rather than through a single final exam.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Merton College 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: junior chef role, strong starting point
Catering manager: managing food production in large-scale settings
Private chef: cooking for individuals or households
Restaurant cook: preparing dishes across a full menu
What you could study next
Level 4 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds) - moves into supervisory and advanced culinary techniques, suited to those aiming for senior kitchen roles.
Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Supervision - broadens into front-of-house and operational management if you want to move beyond the kitchen.
Apprenticeship (Chef de Partie or Senior Production Chef) - earn while you develop your career in a working kitchen.
