Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts (Professional Culinary Practice) (Stage 3)

Program Overview

The CPD Diploma in Professional Cookery Stage 3 is a level 6 course on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and promotes entry-level careers as professional chefs. The requirements of a CPD Diploma programme offer a broad and more general range of skills and knowledge, which are necessary for the further development of the creative, practical, and theoretical skills required. This course builds on the learning and knowledge acquired in stages one and two of the course and is designed primarily to enable students to enter the culinary sector and will allow them to demonstrate abilities in the development, preparation, and presentation of food products in a safe, healthy and nutritious manner. Students will develop an awareness of the need for products that are cost-effective and which can provide efficient solutions in a wide variety of settings (outdoor catering production, restaurant retail, and catering establishments etc.). This allows the curriculum design to be flexible in meeting the needs of the professional cookery discipline and includes the domains of knowledge, practice and individual student needs in line with the requirements necessary to operate in a restaurant kitchen or culinary related food outlet.

The aim of stage 3 CPD Diploma is the continual development of effective learning and competency in fundamental culinary skills, and management. In this context, the course aims to equip participants with the appropriate knowledge and skills and the ability to apply the concepts, theories, and practices from each of the module areas in modern-day culinary operations. Having successfully completed stage three the graduates will have acquired the requisite specialised knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to operate at an advanced level in a variety of culinary and retail outlets including, restaurants, Hotels, and other catering establishments. Upon graduation, students will be awarded a Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts (Professional Cookery).

Program Outline

Graduates may expect to develop careers as qualified professionals in the culinary, foodservice and hospitality industries (including hotels, restaurants, industrial catering, food retail outlets, licensed trade, cruise liners and other food related industries) and advance towards positions as fully qualified chefs and catering supervisors/managers.

Students who successfully complete the examinations or skills assessment will be considered for exemption from the equivalent subject on the relevant Degree programme.