Why choose Catering and Hospitality
The catering and hospitality industry in Northern Ireland is fantastically exciting and diverse, full of wonderful career opportunities – it is youthful, vibrant and rewarding. As a growth industry, catering and hospitality offers a diverse range of job opportunities and career prospects. There are an estimated 1.4 million jobs related directly to catering and hospitality across the country, accounting for five per cent of total UK employment.
Learners are provided with the knowledge and skills in a number of specialist areas of expertise, ranging from professional cookery, customer service, food and beverage service, management and leadership.
Courses
City & Guilds Entry Level Award for Introduction to Customer Service (Entry 3)
The Awards/Certificates for Introduction to Customer Service qualifications are for anyone interested in starting a career in the customer service industry.
You don't need to have any prior qualifications. The Awards and Certificates will provide you with a basic understanding of the impact of customer service and will equip you with the necessary skills to work and support customer service delivery.
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City & Guilds Level 1 Diploma - Introduction to Professional Cookery (7100-11)
This course introduces learners to the basic and professional skills needed to be employed in the catering industry and is relevant if they are new to the industry. This is a great taster course to determine if learners have the skills, attitudes and behaviours needed and covers the basics required to gain employment in this dynamic sector. It is recommended that everyone starts with this programme regardless of their academic profile and it is the course of choice for school leavers interested in a catering career.
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City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in General Patisserie and Confectionary
Has television reality shows got your attention? These qualifications cover all the patisserie and confectionery skills and knowledge to show you've got what it takes for a successful career as a pastry chef.
Ideal for those looking to become professional pastry chefs or for those wanting to progress in their careers, for individuals who enjoy this area of cookery as a hobby and for those employees looking to further their knowledge and skills in this area.
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City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Professional Food and Beverage Service Skills
This qualification meets the needs of learners who want to work front of house within a hospitality environment. It is also for those learners that want a rounded knowledge of both front of house and the kitchen, which will enable them to look at more senior positions in the future. The qualification covers all aspects of food and beverage service. It will deliver the key skills required by the learner to ensure they will have a thorough understanding of the role and expectations that any future employer will expect of them._x000D_
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City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Services
This is a full time one year programme to introduce and prepare you for the hospitality & catering sector. This qualification is suitable for anyone from 16 years old or over. This qualification will help you to develop catering and waiting skills. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for working in kitchens and / or as part of a front of house team.
This qualification could lead to jobs in:
Commis Chef
Waiting Staff
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City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery (7132-08)
Are you an enthusiastic person who loves a challenge and likes to be in a busy, lively and people focused environment? A Professional Cookery Diploma may suit you if you have some basic skills or experience with food, or may just have a genuine interest in learning more about cooking as a career. This course will allow you to develop the practical, industry relevant skills which will equip you with the basics of what is needed to work effectively as a chef in wide variety of service settings. This course is a one-year programme and suitable for anyone over 16 years of age, as a follow on to an introductory course or for direct enrol if underpinning knowledge and experience of the catering industry can be demonstrated. The opportunities in the area of catering are endless, and for every type of learner there is a job role which can be suitably matched to allow for a fulfilled and satisfying career, so please come along and talk to the teaching team to find out more.
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City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery
If you are keen to make your mark in the world of culinary excellence, then a Level 3 Professional Cookery Diploma is a must in order to demonstrate skill and commitment to this industry. The programme builds on a sound understanding of cooking and commodities and moves you to a higher repertoire of complex dishes and technical ability, increasing your knowledge of advanced tools and techniques. Highly experienced tutors help you develop practical and interpersonal skills and competitive edge. They will ensure you have a thorough knowledge of up to date culinary and ethical trends along with the necessary operational management skills to be successful in a catering environment. This is an immersive learning experience designed for those who are serious about cooking at a higher level and progressing to the management and strategic roles within hospitality. This course is a two-year full-time programme offered as progression to the Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery or for those who can demonstrate commensurate experience and knowledge.
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City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Professional Cookery Fast Track
This course is an intensive one year, part-time, will suit you if you have worked in a professional kitchen for some time, or have a Level 2 qualification. Your work might involve supervising others. You want to develop your skills further, perhaps to become a specialist chef or move into a management role. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in higher education and/or employment in this globally and economically important sector.
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Cooking for Christmas
This short programme is a week by week development of skills for a range of food and dishes that you may wish to use when entertaining family and friends over the Christmas period.
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Cooking on a Budget
Make culinary delights from the most basic ingredients that can be found in your store cupboard. A short course that encourages you to use what you have in your larder and fridge.
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Foundation Degree in the Professional Practice and Management of Culinary Arts [Subject to Validation]
This course throws open the kitchen door and explores the principles and practices of a modern 21st century kitchen environment. You will be taken on a journey which will better define your career options of the depth and scope of what the world of culinary arts has to offer. It will also prepare you for, or support you in, a leadership role. The course content will give practical skills and techniques while broadening the learner's knowledge and understanding of what it is to work in a modern ethical kitchen environment. The programme is supported by outstanding physical resources supplemented with sector leading digital capability.
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Perfect Parties at Home
This short programme has been designed with the entertainer at home in mind taking you through a range of tasks and activities covering to take the stress out of hosting and learn up to date ideas for making your home parties stand out including; Cocktails and mocktails, the ideal table setting for seasonal and occasional settings, wine knowledge, the perfect cheeseboard and speciality tea and coffee.
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Facilities
Students have travelled with us from level 2 and level 3 to Foundation Degree and then beyond. Past students now have careers as Cabin Crew, Event Managers, Receptionists, Chefs, Hotel Managers, Restaurant Managers, and Service Handling Agents etc.
The aspiring chef will gain confidence in cooking and presentation, and understand the many factors which influence or dictate food choices and trends. For those who have a passion for customer facing roles, a variety of skills and attributes will be uncovered which will transfer to so many industries locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
About the qualifications
The range of qualifications covers a number of pathways enabling learners to boost specialist skills and knowledge needed in catering and hospitality.
On completion at every level, a number of options are available to suit personal learning and assessment preferences. As skill level increases and opportunities within the industry present, the level and type of qualifications become more adaptable to meet the needs of the learner, supporting them to achieve a successful and rewarding career.
Level 1 |
Introductory Diploma in Professional Cookery with Certificate in Introduction to Food and Beverage Service. |
Level 2 |
NVQ or VRQ Diploma in Professional Cookery
NVQ or VRQ Diploma in Food and Beverage Service
Culinary Skills Diploma with Certificate in Food and Beverage Service
Certificate in Patisserie and Confectionary |
Level 3 |
NVQ or VRQ Diploma in Professional Cookery |
Level 4 |
Principles of Hospitality Management |
Level 5 |
Ulster University International Hospitality & Tourism/ International Travel and Tourism Management
Degree in International Culinary Arts |
Who is it suitable for?
Because of the diverse nature of the industry, training programmes are designed to meet the needs of a variety of learners; school leavers embarking on a new career path, those taking time out from other industries or studies, adult returners upskilling to gain part or full time employment at all levels of the public or private sector. In short, anyone from new entrant to skilled professional with drive and passion to succeed.
Core areas of study
Undertaking one of these programmes will provide you with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in:
Catering & Hospitality |
- Kitchen and Larder principles and produce
- Patisserie and confectionary
- Principles of cooking methods
- Sustainability and waste management
- Healthier foods and special diets
- Nutrition in Food Production
- Costings, menu and kitchen design
- Food Safety
- Health, Safety and Security of the workplace
- Principles of working relationships
- Customer Service
- Food and Beverage service
- Barista
- Front desk operations
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