I have decided to go back to college come september to do a catering course, and wondered if any of you have done any and can therefore aid me in my decision.

the obvious choice is the NVQ level 1 in Food Preperation and Cooking (taking up one evening a week at a cost of about £400)

However i am wondering if this is going to be worth it, i want a higher level of qualification, i mean i can always extend it to do 2 yrs and get nvq level 2 after it i suppose.

There are the city and guild certificates and diplomas, the diploma being 2 yrs 2 evenings a week (at a cost i do not know) but covering a vastly superior, and i think, more benifitial subject matter for what i would like to do with my qualifications.

However this one needs (i think) the nvq level 1, or some catering experiece (i have limited from my uni days working in eateries to feed the poor student in me)

I know i am not up to speed on the certificate city and guilds and this needs more research, but i am quandrying my decision regarding the length of time i should spend doing this. nvq level 1 + diploma = 3 yrs part time study, (will i be too old after that for a career change)

Has anyone else done similar courses?

or studied part time and can tell me what its like?

Or offer any form of opinion dumb or otherwise?

Last edited by Misty Kitty on Jun-25-2004 at 10:31

um, don't know too much about it, except with time and money i think its something very worth doing. even as a hobby...it has potential to be real fun. my ex did it and became a fully qualified chef, got work experience in good restaurants all over London and worked with Jamie Oliver for a bit. he really enjoyed it, but i reckon it is quite demanding. city & guilds looks the better option, but just research a bit to see if you do need nvq 1. good luck lady

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my mate alan did NVQ's.. he hated it. although he is also a retard

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my mum and the chefs i worked with ages ago all did NVQ's up to level two (or maybe even 3) and it was pretty easy apparently. all you gotta do is a load of boring writing but its stuff you should know when u work in a kitchen etc. but i think all of them started off working in a kitchen then did the nvq to get a higher salary.

anyway, here is a tribute to alan

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quote:

Originally posted by Ste

LMFAO!

haha!

i made that didnt know it still existed..

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quote:

Originally posted by Misty Kitty the obvious choice is the NVQ level 1 in Food Preperation and Cooking (taking up one evening a week at a cost of about £400)

I think my sister did that one, and she's a bit of a spacker so it must be easy.

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quote:

Originally posted by tu_face haha! i made that didnt know it still existed..

yes, still stuck on my ntl space i cant acess now im not at home.

reminds me of the good old days, like this...

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Fave Tune at the Moment: Mesmerizer - Taking Control

>>> Download my mix here <<< (Electro, Techno & Psy-Trance)

quote:

Originally posted by Misty Kitty I have decided to go back to college come september to do a catering course, and wondered if any of you have done any and can therefore aid me in my decision. the obvious choice is the NVQ level 1 in Food Preperation and Cooking (taking up one evening a week at a cost of about £400) However i am wondering if this is going to be worth it, i want a higher level of qualification, i mean i can always extend it to do 2 yrs and get nvq level 2 after it i suppose. There are the city and guild certificates and diplomas, the diploma being 2 yrs 2 evenings a week (at a cost i do not know) but covering a vastly superior, and i think, more benifitial subject matter for what i would like to do with my qualifications. However this one needs (i think) the nvq level 1, or some catering experiece (i have limited from my uni days working in eateries to feed the poor student in me) I know i am not up to speed on the certificate city and guilds and this needs more research, but i am quandrying my decision regarding the length of time i should spend doing this. nvq level 1 + diploma = 3 yrs part time study, (will i be too old after that for a career change) Has anyone else done similar courses? or studied part time and can tell me what its like? Or offer any form of opinion dumb or otherwise?

depending how serious and good you are at it, there are specific catering courses that also might be a bit more helpful, run usually by named chefs, a lot of it depends on how you go about it, the basic college course is ok, if a little basic, I nearly did it, but I dont eat a good enough array of things cos of tasting as u go etc due to crohns fuckin with my stomach & intestines for digesting anything slightly rich or hot Anyway, the main thing is how good you think you want to be and how serious you are about things..... good luck tho

Also ask George Kendall cos he's doing cooking & working too in it

quote:

Originally posted by Ian^ depending how serious and good you are at it, there are specific catering courses that also might be a bit more helpful, run usually by named chefs, a lot of it depends on how you go about it, the basic college course is ok, if a little basic, I nearly did it, but I dont eat a good enough array of things cos of tasting as u go etc due to crohns fuckin with my stomach & intestines for digesting anything slightly rich or hot Anyway, the main thing is how good you think you want to be and how serious you are about things..... good luck tho Also ask George Kendall cos he's doing cooking & working too in it

Well i dont want to be like a serious chef ie head or sous of some posh totty restaurant nope.

I want to have my cafe. These cooking corses i really want to be able to give me the necessary knife, hygiene, meat preparation etc necessary to make cafe life simpler (and meeting all the necessary government criteria) The food itself i dont think will be greatly difficult to make, sandwiches salads soups, but i want to be able to create the menu myself and employ staff which i can train to my needs.

The courses are also for me to proove my interest in a career change at my age, and get the banks to give me money.

searching learn direct in the london area brought this up, i think it's pretty close to what you'll need

qualification level
NVQ Level 2 in Catering and Hospitality Food Preparation and Cooking

prerequisites

Must be employed as a cook/chef within the catering industry.

course description
The course covers basic cookery methods including safe and hygiene practices.

assessment method
Assessed in a work simulation and witness testimonies.

study method
Part Time Day

estimated course duration
2 years

price (subject to change)
£395, Exam Fee £60

You may be entitled to a means tested benefit to help pay for this course. Why not look at our paying for learning section to find out about financial help?

timetable
Wednesday 09.00-17.00

language
Courses are taught in English

hope this is something helpful anyway

potato chimney muggets

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