Professional Cookery Level 3


  • Start Date: 15/09/2026
  • Course is for: Adult
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Learning Support:
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Why not join our professional team of chefs here at Gateshead College where you can build and develop the skills and knowledge for your career to date or that of your future aspirations.

This year long course will give you what is required for you to have the edge on employment and progress opportunities.

This course will give you the practical skills and knowledge to develop as a chef in the catering, and hospitality and industry.

It will offer you hands on practical skills classes with our highly skilled team and exposure to some of the regions most renowned chefs and business owners through specialist workshops, guest chefs, and enrichment opportunities.

You will extend your abilities in key topics required in catering and hospitality such as professional cookery, food hygiene.

As well as studying essential topics to give you the edge such as nutrition, allergies and culinary terms. All of these will be covered in a broad repertoire of dishes.

On this programme you will develop not only your English terms in culinary skills, but also those of international requirements such as French.

You will undertake modules in the following topics:

Professional Cookery

You will develop a complex skills base in the correct methods of preparing and cooking meat, fish and poultry dishes using different styles and your own adaptation of presentation.

This will also include an extensive variety of accompaniments such as vegetables, sauces and garnishes.

In order to give you a broader transferable skills set you will also develop your work in a range of different pastry products from sweet to savoury.

This is regarded as a must in some industry establishments.

Food Hygiene

Working in a safe, hygienic and secure working environment is key in this industry.

On this course you will be able to apply effective food hygiene requirements, whilst undertaking a nationally recognised food hygiene course to really boost your CV.

Days & Times
Tuesdays 5pm to 9pm

Required Entry Qualifications

Level 2 in Professional Cookery or relevant level of industrial experience in the catering sector.

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.

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.

All courses are delivered by highly skilled and  experienced staff.

Teaching styles are differentiated to suit and benefit the learners as far as possible.

The staff attend up to date professional development to keep up to date with modern techniques and changes in the industry.

The course has a different approach to assessment – you may not study a unit at a time – you work on skills technique developments and you’ll be marked against the standards of the awarding body City and Guilds and be given continuous feedback to help you improve and grow as a chef.

You will learn industry standard techniques and skills to make you stand out from the crowd using professional standard kitchens and virtual learning resources.

The programme offers further short courses for development in areas of Barista training and how to run a street food business and recycling and food waste management.

We’re connected with some of the best restaurants and tourism businesses in the region to give you a real insight into the world of work and a valuable work placement.

Partners include:

  • 21 Hospitality Group, who own Cafe 21
  • St Vincent
  • The Broad Chare
  • Fenwick
  • Peace and Loaf
  • the Marriott hotel chain
  • The Beamish Hall Hotel
  • Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar and Grill
  • Beamish Museum

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:

  • We don’t print our learning portfolios, they’re all online
  • We use biodegradable packaging
  • Students grow their own micro herb gardens to use in their cooking
  • All food waste is collected and turned into biogas
  • We use locally sourced produce
  • We check our learning schemes weekly to ensure sustainability is embedded

Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free 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 don’t qualify for funding help and have to pay for course, you could pay a 25% deposit and four consecutive monthly standing order payments for the balance. The course fee must be over £100 to qualify.

For one to one advice, contact our friendly team who will assess your individual circumstances and give you the right information. You can contact them on 0191 490 2246 [email protected] or via Live Chat.

If this is a Level 3 qualification and you may qualify for free course fees and there may be 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 or over you can pay the fee in full upfront and receive a 10% discount. Or you can apply for an Adult Advanced Learner Loan, a low interest loan with no upfront fees that you pay back in installments once you’re earning.

For more information, come along to an Enrolment Event, call 0191 490 4627 or email [email protected]

Those aged under 18 years old are not eligible to study this course as it is a part time programme.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN PROFESSIONAL COOKERY LEVEL 3?

  • Business and Financial Project Management Professionals
  • Youth Work Professionals
  • Higher Level Teaching Assistants
  • Programmers and Software Development Professionals

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

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

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.

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.

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.

Median Salary

£38,221

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Knowledge

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.

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.

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.

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.

Median Salary

£21,718

Averge Qualifications

Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

Apply Now

Knowledge

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.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary

£46,137

Averge Qualifications

Honours, Bachelor's degree

Apply Now

Skills

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Active Listening

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.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening

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.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Active Listening

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

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