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Introduction to Professional Cookery with Hospitality

Some course options are full or at waiting list, but you can apply to others or register your interest.

  • Qualifications National Qualifications
  • SCQF Level SCQF Level 4
  • Study mode
  • Campus Ayr, Kilmarnock
  • Start date August 2026
  • Duration 18 weeks or less
More information

Attendance/Duration

Ayr: Short full-time, two x 18 weeks Kilmarnock: Full-time, one year

Overview

Completely new to professional cookery? Start your journey into the exciting world of food, drink and hospitality with this course. This is the perfect first step for anyone who wants to learn the basics and build confidence in a professional setting. You will learn new skills in our state of the art kitchens and training restaurant, which is open to the public.

You’ll develop foundation skills in cooking and customer service, while learning about food hygiene, kitchen safety and how to work as part of a team. The course is hands-on, giving you practical experience in preparing and presenting dishes, as well as serving in our training restaurant.

Skills

This course supports growth in key area including:

  • Practical skills in the kitchen and front of house.
  • Organisational skills (working in a structured manner).
  • Number skills (weighing, measuring, temperature control).
  • Communication skills (talking to customers).
  • Meta-skills (such as using initiative, working with others, focusing).

Entry requirements

This course is open to anyone who has:

  • a keen interest in cooking and customer service
  • a desire to develop practical skills and explore career options
  • the ability to stand in a hot kitchen for long periods of time
  • National 3 qualifications in Maths and English or has completed a relevant SCQF 3 course.

If you don’t have formal qualifications, but have appropriate experience or training, you may still be considered for the course.

Course content

In this course, you will learn:

  • Professional cookery terms and techniques.
  • Basic food preparation, cooking and baking techniques. You will make dishes such as: burgers, fish and chips, chicken tempura, salads and sandwiches, apple pie, scones and breads.
  • Front of house skills including working a barista coffee machine, setting tables and customer service.
  • Food hygiene and working safely.
  • Related theory to support what you learn in the kitchen.

Careers and Further Study

On successful completion of this course, you may:

  • Progress to further study in hospitality - this could be Professional Cookery and Baking, Developing Professional Cookery and Hospitality Skills or Steps to Hospitality (all at Level 4/5).
  • Gain entry level employment in the hospitality industry.

Employer and Industry Links

We have close links with local employers and will arrange industry visits and talks.