C&G Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery

This course covers a mixture of theory and practical activities. Our Level 2 qualification is delivered in weekly theory sessions, in which you will complete knowledge statements to provide your understanding of the course.

You will also learn Health & Safety, the wider hospitality industry, and how you can work towards your goal career, as well as complete practical work on a weekly basis - all of which will help you complete your assessments.

Topics covered in the course include Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, Vegetables, Poultry, Seafood, Cakes and biscuits, Pastry

Enrichment activities including, butchery workshops, visits to local businesses e.g. fishmongers, butchers and other local businesses which the students show interest in.

• Catering Manager
• Commis Chef
• Education and Training
• Executive Chef
• Food Safety Inspector
• Front-of-House Assistant
• Head Chef
• Hospitality Manager
• Military Catering
• Mobile Catering

... and so much more!

You may progress to Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Professional Cookery or Level 3 Diploma in supervisory Skills.

You may also work as a commis chef within a hotel environment, you may even work within a school meals or care home environment. There is also the option at Level 2 to go into the armed forces.

You will take part in a level 1, 6 week accelerator programme before starting the full level 2 programme, as a level 1 course is a requirement to start this course.

Learners under 19 years of age will need to complete functional skills or GCSE depending on qualifications already achieved.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

You will be assessed throughout the course, within assessments and exams. Then when you are ready you will have 2 synoptic exams to complete, one of 3 hours; which has 3 complex dishes within it and one of 5 hours which has 4 complex dishes within it. You will work towards these throughout the year.

September 2025

One year, full time. This full time study programme courses may also be available to study on a part-time basis if you are aged 18 or over on 31st August. Please check with Student Services for more details.