Do you consider yourself a bit of a foodie?
Do you love to cook for friends and family and have ambitions of working in this fast-paced industry?
Do you one day dream of running your own business or travelling the world cooking professionally?
If so, this is the course for you.
The North East is an excellent base for anyone wishing to work in the food industry with its growing street-food scene, vibrant café culture and some amazing independent restaurants offering cuisines from around the world.
Study with us and you’ll gain the essential skills and knowledge of the industry.
You’ll train as part of our professional team in our student-run restaurant, Enfields Kitchen, and work with our industry partners which include Peace and Loaf, Marriott Hotels, Beamish Hall Hotel and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, to gain experience and exposure, while building your network.
Past students have enjoyed great success including employment with top eateries such as:
You’ll train in our kitchens and learn practical skills with our industry-experienced teaching team while also gaining the knowledge to prepare you for a career in the catering and hospitality industry.
We’ll expand your skillset and talents by running guest workshops with some of the region’s most renowned chefs and business-owners.
On completion of this course you will gain an industry recognised qualification NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Professional Cookery and a City & Guilds Level 2 Award in Food Hygiene.
This study programme will give you the knowledge to pursue a career in catering and hospitality and support you to develop the skills you needs for your career aspirations.
During your studies you will cover the following topics:
Professional Cookery
You’ll develop core skills in the correct use of equipment and knives in order to cook and present a wide range of meat, fish and poultry dishes with an extensive variety of accompaniments such as vegetables, sauces and garnishes.
Sweet!
In order to give you a broader transferable skillset you will also learn how to prepare, cook and finish a range of hot and cold desserts.
You’ll experiment with pastry products including cakes, sponges, biscuits and scones as well as bread and other dough products.
Menu Design
Designing and costing a menu are key skills all chefs need.
On this course you’ll learn how to develop menus for a variety of customers and events including preparation for customers with allergies and understanding the fundamentals of nutrition.
This will also enhance your English and maths skills. Win, win!
Food Hygiene
Working in a safe, hygienic and secure kitchen environment is key in this industry.
On this course you’ll learn essential hygiene requirements and on completion you’ll gain a nationally recognised food hygiene certificate.
Bon Appétit
To be a chef you need to know culinary terms that come with a broad repertoire of dishes.
On this programme you’ll gain an understanding of international culinary terms in French and Italian.
Food and Beverage Service
While this course is aimed at those who want to be in the kitchen, a great chef ensures their customers have the best experience throughout their visit, whether that’s how they’re greeted and served or having staff who can explain menu options.
You’ll learn about front-of-house operations and dealing with customers so you can best support your customer-facing team in the future.
Vocational qualifications at Level 1 or three GCSEs at 4 or above including English and maths.
You’ll work on skills technique developments and employer-inspired projects.
Most assessments will be carried out in our training restaurant and kitchens, Enfields Kitchen.
You’ll be marked against the standards of the awarding body and given continuous feedback to help you improve and grow as a chef.
Tutorial and reviews
You will have six one to one reviews every year where we will work with you to set individual targets to ensure you achieve your potential.
These sessions support you outside of the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen and keep you on track.
Your teaching team are all highly skilled and experienced staff.
They adapt their teaching styles to suit different abilities and ensure they keep their skills up to date to adapt to modern techniques and changes in the industry.
Our students have real, live projects to work on, masterclasses from top chefs and business owners and opportunities to showcase their work with paying customers during our external events and themed evenings.
We want you to be work ready when you leave us and able to put what you have learned into practice in the workplace.
Relevant quality work experience is key and we encourage you to complete part-time work in the sector to gain more experience while you study.
We’ll also support you to find a placement or mentor to strengthen your CV.
All practical sessions are taught in our modern, well-equipped training kitchens which contain industry standard kit and equipment.
Working as part of our professional service team in our student-run restaurant Enfields Kitchen, you’ll prepare and serve meals to paying customers.
Check out how we are embedding sustainability throughout our catering courses:
When you have successfully completed the qualification you will have the skills and knowledge to enter the world of work or you can continue your studies by progressing to Level 3 or an apprenticeship.
An informal interview with a member of our teaching team is essential.
This will take place at an enrolment event or at another time that we will arrange with you.
There will be a cost for a uniform and professional kit such as a set of knives.
We’ll let you know the price during the enrolment process and support you to purchase the items through our preferred suppliers, ensuring you get the best rates.
There is also funding support for those that meet the eligibility criteria to help cover some of these costs, ask us more about this at our enrolment events.
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.
We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
Our specialist teams can help with:
See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 0300 or email us at [email protected]
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
Knowledge
Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Median Salary
£46,621
Averge Qualifications
Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.
Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
£38,221
Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
£46,137
Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
£21,718
People in these occupations study mathematical methods, apply mathematics to solve problems, and study and describe human society.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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Monday 23 March 2026
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Thursday 26 March 2026
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View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.