Level 1 Introduction to Professional Cookery

Course Overview

Designed for candidates who wish to start a career within the catering industry. You will develop your basic skills in professional cookery in our brand new training kitchens and also have the opportunity to gain experience in a realistic working environment.

Entry Requirements

Internal Progressors

Four GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English and maths (English and maths at Functional Skills L1 will also be accepted). You must have demonstrated an enthusiasm and passion to work in the Hospitality Industry and so we require a supporting reference from your current department.

New Students

Four GCSEs at grade 3 or above including English and maths. You must have an enthusiasm and passion to work in the Hospitality Industry. Prospective students will also be required to carry out a ‘practical skills’ test as part of the application process. Students will either carry this out in the Professional Cookery kitchens or on-line as necessary.*

*The College reserves the right to ask for a school reference if required.

What the course covers

This vocationally related qualification meets the needs of learners who want to work as professional cooks. This qualification allows learners to develop and practise the skills required for employment and/or career progression in the Hospitality and Catering sector

Units you will study

• Food safety in catering
• Introduction to employability in the catering industry
• Health and safety awareness for catering and hospitality
• Introduction to healthier foods and special diets
• Introduction to kitchen equipment
• Prepare and cook food by boiling, poaching and steaming
• Prepare and cook food by stewing and braising
• Prepare and cook food by baking roasting and grilling
• Prepare and cook food by deep frying and shallow frying
• Regeneration of pre-prepared food
• Cold food preparation

You will be assessed through practical skills, short answer test and assignment evidence

As part of this course you will be required to attend an external work placement for a total of 100 hours over the duration of your course, the awarding body determines the number of hours required to pass this qualification.

Fees and funding

In order for students to develop the necessary skills and competencies to the required standard, they will be required to carry out additional practical activities at home. The approximate costs of ingredients would be about £100.

There will be additional costs for professional uniform, safety shoes, educational trips, course materials, and a professional set of knives.

Please note:

• Students aged 16 to 18, or those aged 16 to 24 who have a valid EHCP, and are studying Further Education courses are not normally charged course fees
• Adults may need to pay a fee depending on their personal circumstances. This will be assessed against the relevant Funding Body eligibility criteria at point of enrolment

If you don’t qualify for fee remission, the fees for 2026/27 will be:

£1,320 (plus registration fee to be advised at enrolment)

Fees are for 2026/27 entry and apply to students eligible for home fee status enrolling to funded programmes. The fees quoted are subject to personal circumstances and will be confirmed at the time of your enrolment, depending on eligibility criteria. For more information about financial support for students, please click here or email studentfinance@nescot.ac.uk