Advanced Professional Cookery (Kitchen and Larder) Level 3

Course Information

  • Course Code: FS018
  • Duration: 1 academic year
  • Study mode: Full Time
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Overview

This advanced course of study offers you the opportunity to develop skills in all aspects of the professional kitchen to the highest of standards for a career within fine dining.

You will also learn a range of high-level skills and techniques used by pastry chefs, using a wide range of patisserie materials, equipment and ingredients within structured, practical sessions plus experience a variety of standard patisserie industry practices.

You will study are wide range of fish, meat, poultry, pasta, soups sauces and canapés.

There are 15 units, which cover food hygiene, health and safety and developing working relationships with colleagues.

You will have access to experienced professional tutors who have worked at a high level within the industry, in particular senior positions within Northcote and Stanley House. In addition to working in the UK many of our tutors have worked across Europe. Above all our tutors will guide, support and give you the skills and confidence to help you achieve your goals.

You will have the opportunity to work in partnership with high profile restaurants giving you access to work placements and master classes.

Each week you will gain experience working in our Training Restaurant ‘Scholars’. You will have an opportunity to learn new skills and plating up techniques whilst working under pressure in a realistic working environment.

What will I study?

You will study units of the City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery qualification.

  • Fish, meat and poultry for complex dishes
  • Creating authentic pasta dishes
  • Complex hot sauces, dressings and cold sauces
  • Producing intricate soups
  • Patisserie and confectionery

You will develop seasonal menus using a variety of fresh ingredients.

Entry Requirements

You will have completed a Level 2 Hospitality Course or have prior industry experience.

You will have completed a Maths or English GCSE.

How will I be assessed?

Your work will be continuously assessed by a combination of practical assessments and theory end tests, which will be internally marked and externally moderated.

What can I do next?

Once you have completed your Level 3 course, you may opt to move onto study a degree with many students choosing to do so at University Centre at Blackburn College.

Alternatively you will be equipped to start your career of which there are many options available including: Chef, Chef de Partie, Commis Chef.

Your Study Programme

View Study Programme Information

www.blackburn.ac.uk/your-study-programme/

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Career Options

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To do this job, you will need to be able to lead and manage staff. You will also need strong customer service skills, and be comfortable working with figures. If you are passionate about food, and want a varied working environment, then this role could suit you well.

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If you are interested in working with food and you enjoy travelling and meeting people, then this job could be for you. You’ll need to be physically fit as you’ll be on your feet for most of your shift, and you’ll also need to work well under pressure.

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You may get into this job by starting in a junior position and working your way up to management by gaining experience. Alternatively, you can work towards a qualification like a foundation degree, HND or degree and enter as trainee hotel manager. You may also be able to get into this job through an apprenticeship.

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If good food and great service are important to you, this is a role that could suit you well. To do this job, you will need the ability to manage staff. You will also need strong customer service skills, and be comfortable working with figures.

To apply for a trainee manager job, you will usually need a good standard of general education and some relevant work experience.

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Kitchen Manager (head Chef)

As a kitchen manager or head chef, you would use your knowledge and experience of professional cooking to lead a team of staff and efficiently run a kitchen.

In this job you will need good leadership skills. You will need to work quickly and calmly when under pressure. You will also need to control a budget. If you are interested in food and you can lead a team in an organised way, this job could be perfect for you.

To get into this job you will need experience in a professional kitchen, running your own section. You can work your way up from kitchen assistant to trainee chef, then section chef and manager/head chef. You may also be able to get into this job through an Apprenticeship scheme.

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Events Manager

If you enjoy planning, organising and meeting people, this could be just what you are looking for. Events managers are responsible for organising and running all kinds of events. You would control the whole project, from planning at the start to running the event on the day.

Taking a qualification in events management may help you but it’s not essential if you can get relevant work experience.

To become an events manager, you will need to have good communication and 'people' skills. You will need to be good at problem-solving. You will also need to have lots of determination and a positive attitude.

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Cake decorators are artists who create designs on cakes and pastries. As a cake decorator you will design and decorate celebration cakes for birthdays, weddings and other special occasions. You may also make your own cakes and fillings.

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A lot of cake decorators come into this career by first doing this as a hobby. It’s also common to move into cake decorating if you have a background in design. You can also take courses like sugarcraft to help you find work. You may be able to get started in this career through an Apprenticeship if there is one available in your area.

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Baristas make and serve coffee in cafes, coffee shop chains, restaurants and hotels. As a barista you will use a coffee machine to produce espresso coffee and make it into lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos. You will also serve light meals and snacks.

To get into this work, you need good customer service skills and the ability to work well on your own and in a team. If you enjoy working in a fast paced environment, and you love the smell of fresh coffee, this job could be for you.

It may help you to find work if you have some GCSEs. Work experience in a related area like customer service, retail or catering, will also help to set you apart from the competition. You may be able to enter this role through an Apprenticeship scheme if there is one available locally.

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Facilities

The catering and hospitality department are based in the Elizabeth Building and have practical training rooms for professional chefs, pastry chefs and bakers. We also have a real production kitchen that provides meals for Scholars restaurant and Café Central, which are staffed by students and open to the public on a daily basis.

Enrichment & Employability

We have a list of reputable local employers who we work closely with, including Blackburn Rovers FC, Northcote Manor, Mytton Fold Hotel and The Millstone at Mellor, where students are involved in match day and corporate hospitality events. A number of our students also work alongside enterpreneurs at the local market, learning how to develop their own business, and some have carried out workshops with The Wellbeing Farm to learn about food provenance and sustainability.

Students are encouraged to learn additional skills alongside their course such as healthy eating, knife skills, creating with sugar and take part in master-classes in Indian cuisine and cookery.

Many of our students also take part in local and national competitions such the ‘Young Chef of the Year’, ‘Let’s Go British’ and ‘North West Commis Chef of the Year’, which not only enhances your skills and competitiveness, but your attractiveness to employers in the future.

Blackburn College has brought many well-known chefs into the limelight – our renowned ex-students include:

  • Steve Smith, Head Chef, The Freemasons
  • Nigel Smith, TV chef, Restaurateur, Consultant
  • Jonathon Sharpe, Global Quality Assurance Director, Hilton Hotels
  • Peter Gardiner, General Manager Calder stones NHS hospital