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Catering - Professional Cookery - Level 3 - VRQ Diploma

Cambridge Regional College

Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 2QT

Other Regulated/Accredited Qualification
Level 3
Retail and Commercial Enterprise

Available start dates

Available start dates

Wednesday, 02 September 2026
Cambridge Campus
1 Year(s)
Full time

Course Summary

This qualification is for learners 16 and over who are working towards becoming a Chef in a Professional Kitchen and have previous experience and a relevant level 2 qualification in Cookery.

This qualification will help you develop advanced skills and techniques to produce a range of dishes and patisserie products, enabling you to undertake a wide range of roles within a professional kitchen.
The topics that will be undertaken develop advanced skills and techniques in producing:

Meat dishes
Poultry and game dishes
Fish and shellfish dishes
Vegetable and vegetarian dishes
Pastry products
Hot, cold and frozen desserts
Cakes and sponges

To support the development of these skills, you will also undertake the following topics:
Food safety supervision
Gastronomy

Local employers will also contribute to the knowledge and delivery of training by providing demonstrations and talks on the industry and where possible work.

Kit and Uniform - You will need to purchase a kit and uniform before the start of the programme, the Level 3 mandatory kit and uniform will cost around £100 subject to change slightly with inflation. There is also up to £100 of optional extra’s and further details will be given to you at the Welcome Event.

Work placement in the commercial environment is part of your course, which helps you to develop real life working skills and employability.

On this Level 3 programme you will also be required to take part in our Industry Placement Programme, which is set for 2 days in addition to your study programme from October until the end of June, totalling 315 hours. All students are assigned an Industry Placement Coordinator who will work with you and support you through your placement journey. All placements are unpaid and should be meaningful placements that are relevant to the students study programme

How will it be delivered and assessed?

We want you to achieve to the very best of your ability at CRC. To make this happen we offer both learning and personal support by specialist staff tailored to meet your specific needs.

• This qualification will be assessed using a combination of methods, learners will undertake:
Formative and summative assessments in both craft and non-craft units..

Entry requirements

Candidates should have a minimum of a level 2 qualification in cookery such as the City & Guilds Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Food Production and Cooking (7132) or the City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (7100) in order to complete the qualification satisfactorily.

In addition to the entry qualifications listed, the offer of a place on the course is subject to the outcomes of initial assessment, which will be taken at the College as part of the admissions process. Please note that entry criteria may vary quite significantly between courses at the same level. This is to take account of the specific skills needed for success on particular courses, the length of the course and the requirements for progression to the next level. Entry criteria are given as a guide, and the exact requirements in order to obtain a place on a particular course will be confirmed following attendance at a Welcome Event/Interview. In addition to the entry qualifications listed, the offer of a place on the course is subject to the outcomes of initial assessment, which will be taken at the College as part of the admissions process. Please note that entry criteria may vary quite significantly between courses at the same level. This is to take account of the specific skills needed for success on particular courses, the length of the course and the requirements for progression to the next level. Entry criteria are given as a guide, and the exact requirements in order to obtain a place on a particular course will be confirmed following attendance at a Welcome Event/Interview.

Your next steps...

On successful completion, with outstanding commitment and attendance, this programme will enable you to progress onto posts of a suitably high calibre within the Culinary Arts and Hospitality industry. We aim to equip you with artistic and creative cookery skills to haute cuisine standards which will assist you in obtaining employment in a quality catering establishment.


For more courses like this, check our courses page.