Professional Catering Level 1

What opportunities will this course give me?

The world of catering and hospitality is exciting and fast-paced, offering a diverse range of roles and opportunities. This course provides an industry-recognised qualification as well as work experience and helps students get a successful job, to become the best they can be, to achieve their individual goals and maybe even to travel the world.

Students have gone on to work as a kitchen porter, commis chef, line chef, chef de partie, chef manager, sous chef and even head chef or executive chef. Other career options include bar tender, mixologist, waiting staff, restaurant manager, host, sommelier, operation manager or event manager.

Work experience is a very important part of this full-time course. Students gain opportunities to work in local restaurants, as well as in our assessment kitchens and the East Avenue Restaurant, gaining valuable experience and a portfolio of evidence. This work regularly leads to employment and apprenticeship opportunities once students finish their College course. You could also progress onto a level 2 course such as the Professional Hospitality and Catering qualification, and maybe join our exclusive Chefs Academy.

Through our good industry links, learners have gone on to work in the leisure industry, at bakeries, coffee shops and supermarkets. Weve also had students joining The Pig, Lainston House, Pennyhill Park, Chesil Rectory, The Black Rat, Holiday Inn and Hilton Hotels. Many employers contact the College directly for skilled students to fill their vacancies.

What will I be learning?

The course involves front of house and kitchen service. There will be practical work and independent assessment in our professional kitchens and the East Avenue Restaurant, along with theory based assignments

You will complete:
• VTCT Level 1 Certificate in General Food and beverage service
• VTCT Level 1 Diploma in introduction to Professional cookery Studies
• Food Safety Award
• Functional Skills/GCSE

You will study the following units:
• Introduction to the hospitality industry
• Health and safety awareness for catering and hospitality
• Introduction to healthy eating
• Introduction to kitchen equipment
• Prepare and cook food by stewing and braising
• Prepare and cook food by baking, roasting and grilling
• Prepare and cook food by boiling, poaching and steaming
• Prepare and cook food by deep frying and shallow frying
• Dealing with payments and bar service skills
• Preparing and serving drinks
• Food service

Why is this course for me?

It develops your practical skills and allows you to nurture your creativity. It also equips students to work in this sociable, vibrant and fast-growing industry. There are minimal exams which many students find appealing. You will be assessed by completing coursework and you will be observed throughout the year by the chef lecturers and restaurant lecturers to determine if you are demonstrating skills.

How will my learning be enhanced?

All students receive a comprehensive induction, and some learning is delivered via
Google classroom. We use recording devices to help hone students skills.

We arrange guest chef nights, Gastronomy visits to London restaurants, restaurant take-overs, charity dinners and up skills days with celebrity chefs. We also host and take part in local and national cookery competitions, welcome guest speakers, attend trade shows and organise trips to restaurants and hotels, coffee shops and suppliers such as Field to Fork, Owtons, Smithfield, Billingsgate, Moonroast and Winchester Distillery. Youll also take part in our Industry Week.

Why is Eastleigh College my best choice?

We are proud to offer students access to our purpose-built kitchens boasting all the latest equipment, and our own restaurant - East Avenue Restaurant - which is open to the public, hosts regular theme evenings, and has a licensed bar. Students work between a fully equipped pastry kitchen and main kitchen for the preparation and production of food. In addition to gaining confidence in the kitchen, they also learn customer service skills and gain bar experience.

Our teaching team are all highly skilled professional staff with extensive industry experience which keeps the learning current and fresh. They are passionate about supporting learners to achieve their goals and continuously update their skills. They also enjoy links to professional bodies and great industry links for example with hotels including Lainston House, Chewton Glen, Southampton Harbour Hotel, Limewood, Careys Manor, Holiday Inn, Hilton, The Pig and Premier Inn. We also collaborate with restaurants including Chesil Rectory, Rick Stein, River Cottage, The White Star and Ideal Collection, with contract caterers such as Compass, and with pub and chain restaurants including Five Guys and Beefeater.

What do I need to sign up?

You will need 4 GCSEs at Grade 3 including English Language and mathematics. In Catering all learners begin at L1, this is to develop essential technical skills and knowledge needed to progress onto Level 2.

All learners without a GCSE at grade A*-C or 9-4 in English or Maths will be required, as a condition of the programme, to undertake either a GCSE or Functional Skills programme. Therefore, if you enter a programme with a Grade 3 in English or Maths, you will be required to take English or Maths as well.

You may be asked to undertake a numeracy or literacy test such as BKSB.

You will require an interview with subject specialist staff to ensure you have a good understanding of the course you are applying for. Attendance and attainment reports from previous education will also be required.

Adult learners may apply for any of our full time and apprenticeship programmes and your vocational experience will also be taken into consideration alongside existing qualifications.
The programme is fully funded for learners aged 16-18. Fees may apply for 19+.

On completion of Level 1, you will be interviewed to check suitability of progression to Level 2. Your attendance and behaviour will also be a deciding factor towards your progression as well as demonstrating that you have upheld the college values.

Is there anything else I need to know?

We have our own restaurant - East Avenue which is open to the public which has regular theme evenings, and a bar, which is licensed to sell drinks to customers. Students work between a fully equipped pastry kitchen and main kitchen for the preparation and production of food.

You will need to purchase a uniform and equipment at an extra cost of approximately £220 before the start of the programme.

For learners aged 19+ the price is upon application only, and after receiving information, advice & guidance.

All learners enrolled on a full-time study programme are expected to attend a compulsory work or industry placement during their course. The number of hours of placement will vary from 35 hours through to 750 hours, this variance is due to the differing types of assessment on each course.

Learners should be aware that this is compulsory part of their study programme and work / industry placements will take place during the college week.

Application Information

Please note that all courses are subject to minimum numbers and course descriptions may be subject to change. A place on your chosen course is not confirmed until all of the necessary enrolment paperwork is signed and any relevant fees are paid. The team will be in touch to discuss this with you, once your application has been processed.

Course Code

CKHCV1

Need some further advice?

Contact the Brand, Engagement and Learner Recruitment Team for further guidance - email bebetter@eastleigh.ac.uk or call 023 8091 1000.

The Equality Act

The College wishes to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. If you are a disabled person, please ensure that we know what you need so that we can make all reasonable adjustments to help you succeed.