Quick facts
| Qualification type | City and Guilds Level 2 VRQ Diploma in Professional Cookery |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Study times | You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:00 to 4:15. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction. Some evening work will be required. |
| Entry requirements | Successful completion of Catering Certificate Level 1 or Professional Cookery Level 1 or suitable work based experience. An interview and positive tutor report will be required. In addition, a successful induction period will be required to identify which Level 2 pathway is appropriate for each student. |
| Campus | Edmunds Restaurant, Main West Suffolk College Campus, Bury St Edmunds |
| Work placements | Yes |
Is it for me?
The course provides a good professional practical and theoretical knowledge of food preparation and cooking as well as food and drink service, which offers that stepping stone for someone who has strong practical skills with managerial potential.
Much of your time at college will be spent working in our purpose-built kitchens and upmarket restaurant, Edmunds, where you'll learn how to prepare and cook a variety of fresh foods, provide outstanding customer service and friendly reception duties, alongside food and beverage service techniques. This means that most of the study necessary to underpin the practical skills will need to be done in learners' own time.
Throughout the year you will work on projects and functions both in college and outside normal college hours. Students will also spend time on industry-related visits, undertaking realistic work experiences and hearing first-hand accounts from visiting speakers. Evening work in Edmunds and at other functions will be part of the timetable, to enable you to gain valuable experience as you learn.
What you'll learn
- Food Safety
- Kitchen Skills
- Food preparation and cookery
- Pastry and Savoury Products for the Restaurant
- Restaurant service
- Functional Skills (Mathematics, English and ICT)
- Organisational and investigative skills
While you're here you'll also enjoy a wide range of enrichment activities including team building, visits to hospitality establishments, demonstrations and talks from industrial experts and the opportunity to enter competitions.
Any student aged 16 to 19 who does not hold a GCSE A* to C (9 to 4 on the new grading structure) or equivalent qualifications in Maths and English by age 16 will need to continue to study these subjects in each academic year.
Work experience placements
All students will do work related experience within the Campus catering facilities. Some evening work is required
Assessment
There are practical assessments throughout the year, two major practical tests (which account for 45% of the final marks) and theoretical written units to support your practical work.
Further study
- Professional Cookery VRQ 2
- Hospitality Operations NVQ 2
- Hospitality Supervision and Event Management Diploma Level 3
- Patisserie and Confectionary Diploma Level 3
- Professional Chefs Advanced Diploma Level 3
Example careers
- Baker
- Butcher
- Chef
- Catering Manager
- Bar Manager
- Restaurant Manager
- Events Manager
- Cake Decorator
- Cellar Technician
- Food Scientist
- Hotel Manager
- Concierge
- Microbrewer
- Street Food Trader
- Wedding Planner
- Private Chef
Days & times
Starting September 2025