Cookery Qualifications

Pete1989 · 24 Mar 2013 at 18:53

Hi
I'm currently working in an Artisan Bakery, having done 2 seasons as a chalet cook. I'd like to get some qualifications completed but not sure which ones are highly regarded in the business.
I'm looking towards the patisserie/baking area, any suggestions welcome.
Thanks

caff · 25 Mar 2013 at 00:19

NVQ Level 3 in Cooking (Patisserie & Confectionary) might be a good thing to aim for.

http://www.uksp.co.uk/Good-Qualific...essional-Cookery-Patisserie-and-Confectionery

Illgresi · 27 Mar 2013 at 12:35

Generally speaking, college courses aren't respected and experience in a good kitchen is much more highly regarded than a course of any kind.

Ask around your local hotels and restaurants asking for work or experience working with their pastry chef. Unless you are 18 or younger, I wouldn't bother with a college course. If you went into a job as a commis pastry chef right now, and some other guy goes to college for a year, by the end of that year you are a year of (hopefully good) experience ahead of him.

That said, if you're 16 (though I'm guessing you're a bit older than that having worked 2 seasons in a bakery), you have some time to burn, and a year at college with a part time job as a kp might be the way to go.

Pete1989 · 27 Mar 2013 at 22:51

I'm 23 now. I think im going to do a course in something specialised over the summer while the bakery is quiet, just think I should be furthering myself some more.