Catering & Hospitality

Take a look at the Lake District, and it’s easy to see why Hospitality & Tourism are at the heart of west Cumbria’s local economy.

Experience teaching from some of the best chefs and experts that West Cumbria has to offer!

With ever-increasing visitors to the Lake District each year, there’s a growing range of career opportunities throughout the region; from working in the great outdoors to working in the kitchen, the career paths in these subjects are diverse, making room for all sorts of ambitions and passions. Lakes College can help you decide on the best career path – whether you dream of running your own hotel, or delighting customers with your creations in the kitchen, we have the right course for you. We’re on the doorstep of one of the biggest tourist areas in the UK, so to have an exciting, skilled department that will give you amazing opportunities at college and beyond, is not just a smart idea – it’s essential.

We’ve got great professionals in the kitchen, who can show you how to source the best ingredients and learn highly desirable technical skills, such as smoking and foraging. That’s why our graduates have worked with some of the best in the industry, Simon Rogan and Jean Christophe Novelli to name just two. Plus, as a Lakes College catering/hospitality student, you’ll also have access to a fantastic range of enrichment activities. In the past our catering students have been chosen to appear on BBC One’s The One Show to take part in a taste experiment, and they got to cater for royalty when HRH The Prince of Wales visited Rosehill Theatre!

Courses you could study

We offer a range of courses in the catering and hospitality trade, at different levels to match your skills.

Food preparation and cooking - Level 1

By studying this course, you’ll learn about the many aspects of the catering industry and gain valuable practical and teamwork skills – essential for working in this sector.

This course is particularly suited for 16-19 year olds who would like to work towards a higher level course but do not meet the entry requirements.
You will learn about food safety and hygiene, teamwork and learn vital skills that are attractive to employers.
You will cook a variety of basic dishes to cover units required for this qualification.
After further progression, this could lead to jobs in the industry such as kitchen assistant, waiter / waitress within a variety of establishments (eg. schools, hospitality, hotels etc).
As part of this course you will also have the opportunity to top up your maths and English skills if applicable for your studies.
Work experience opportunities will be available whilst studying this course.

Entry requirements

To study this course you will need to demonstrate an interest in the catering industry, and be able to discuss your ambitions for a career.

Costs

Free to all 16-18 year olds. Funding may be available for 19-23 year olds. Also free to learners who are in receipt of JSA (Job Seekers Allowance) ESA (Employment Support Allowance, work related activity) or Universal Credit (mandated). Where fees are payable you can set up a payment plan that best suits your needs. Actual Cost is: £1000.00. All costs are subject to slight changes.

What next?

Once you have completed this Level 1 course you could have the opportunity to enrol on a Level 2 course in Hospitality/Professional Cookery.

Food Production and Cooking - Level 2

This course is designed to upskill young people working in the catering industry.

You will study how to maintain a safe, hygienic and secure working environment, how to maintain, handle and clean knives, how to work effectively as part of a hospitality team, dealing with customers & payments and maintaining food safety when storing, preparing and cooking food.

Completing this course will mean you have a qualification that shows employers and customers you have the skills to work in a range of catering and hospitality roles like hotel receptionist, chef, bartender or waiter/waitress.

These modules give you a basic knowledge and understanding to help you gain a role as a Commis chef.

The modules will help you work hygienically and safely, enabling you to work as part of a team in a professional environment.

This course will suit you if you are already in full-time employment, progressing from a Level 1 qualification or in a position to start studying at Level 2.

As part of this course you will also have the opportunity to top up your maths and English skills if applicable for your studies.

Work experience is essential on this course and opportunities are available through the workplace within the college.

Entry requirements

New applicants: To study this course you will need 4 GCSEs grade 3-9 including maths and English. Existing Students: Successful completion of a relevant Level 1 qualification and demonstate progress in maths and English.

Costs

Free to all 16-18 year olds. Also free to learners who are in receipt of JSA (Job Seekers Allowance) ESA (Employment Support Allowance, work related activity) or Universal Credit (mandated). Where fees are payable you can set up a payment plan that best suits your needs. Actual Cost is: £2583.00. All costs are subject to slight changes.

What next?

Once you have completed the Level 2 Food Production and Cooking course you have the opportunity to progress on to the Level 3 Professional Cookery course or a position within the catering industry.

Hospitality Supervision and Leadership - Level 3

The Level 3 in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership is aimed at those who would like to work in a front of house role in hospitality and catering. On this course, you will complete a number of core units including how to lead a team to improve customer service, how to develop productive working relationships with colleagues, how to provide leadership for your team, how you can contribute to the control of resources, and maintain the health, hygiene, safety and security of the working environment. As part of this course you will also have the opportunity to top up your math and English skills if applicable for your studies.

Entry requirements

New applicants: To study this course you will need 4 GCSEs 4-9 (C-A*) including maths and English. Existing students: Successful completion of a relevant Level 2 qualification. You must also hold a GCSE (or equivalent) in maths and English at grade 4 (C) or above.

Costs

Free to all 16-18 year olds. Funding may be available for 19-23 year olds. Advanced Learning Loans are available for further education courses at Level 3, 4 & 5. They operate like higher education loans with deferred payments until you earn over approximately £25,000 per year- information available at www.gov.uk
You have the option of taking out a loan or setting up a payment plan with the college that best suits your needs. Actual Cost is: £2583.00. All costs are subject to slight changes.

What next?

Once you have completed the Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality Supervision and Leadership you can progress on to a HNC/D in Hospitality Management, or alternatively seek employment as a supervisor or manager in industry.

Courses you could study include:

• Food Preparation and Cooking – Level 1
• Food Production and Cooking – Level 2
• Hospitality Supervision and Leadership – Level 3
• Professional Cookery (Patisserie and Confectionery) – Level 3
• Professional Cookery – Level 3
Find out more about our courses here!

Did you know?

Our students operate their very own fine-dining establishment here at Lakes College – Graduates Restaurant.

Using fresh ingredients and the first-hand industry knowledge provided by our tutors (who have worked in some of the best restaurants in the country), our students produce food that Gordon Ramsay would be proud of – at a fraction of the cost!

Book your table today – click here!

Case Study

Tyler Binnington – Catering Level 2

“I really enjoy my time at Lakes College, especially in the kitchen and front of house. It gives me the opportunity to meet new people and expand my confidence”