Career Training for Chefs
Chefs Vocational Qualifications
Find out more about the different types of vocational qualifications available to develop your chef career. From T Levels to NVQs to Diplomas in Professional Cookery.
Training Providers and Awarding Bodies
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
Ofqual regulates awarding bodies, exams, regulations and tests for academic and vocational qualifications in England to ensure they are fit for purpose. Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland are regulated by each respective national government.
The City and Guilds of London Institute is a registered charity that is the awarding body for City & Guilds and ILM qualifications, offering many accredited qualifications mapped onto the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). Their Diploma in Professional Cookery is for anyone who works or wants to work as a chef in the catering and hospitality sector. It is ideal for learners coming straight from school who wish to seek a career in this industry. It is also ideal for those chefs in industry who would like to continue or refresh their knowledge by undertaking topics within the qualification.
Nationwide Caterers Association
The Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS) offers three levels of food hygiene certificates: Level 1 Food Hygiene, Level 2 Food Hygiene and Level 3 Food Hygiene certificates. Our food hygiene and safety online training courses are City and Guilds accredited and highly recognised throughout the catering industry. Other online courses offered include Allergen Awareness, Sustainability and HACCP training.
Institute of Hospitality Online
The Institute of Hospitality is the professional membership organisation for the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries. The Institute has a worldwide membership in all sectors of the industry including hotels and restaurants, contract catering, pubs and clubs, as well as leisure outlets, theme parks and sports venues. The Institute's online learning academy offers over 250 courses to help support professional development of their members.
Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (CTH)
The Confederation of Tourism & Hospitality (CTH) is a specialist awarding organisation, offering vocational qualifications for the hospitality, culinary and tourism industries. Culinary programmes offered start with Level 2 qualifications at foundation level and therefore introduce candidates to a range of food preparation and cooking techniques to provide the basis for a culinary career. Further up, the level goes from intermediate to the advanced Level 4 Diploma in Culinary Arts; this level will prepare students to work in professional kitchen.