School Leavers - Catering & Hospitality Outline

Home | Industry specific training | Catering and Hospitality

Apply Now for September 2013

To apply for a full-time course starting in September 2013, choose using buttons below.

Catering & Hospitality

100% Results for Life Does the idea of working in a busy environment excite you? Do you admire the skills and passion for food from talented chefs such as Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsey? Do you like working as part of a team and cater for any taste presented by a customer?

100% success rate in NVQ Level 3 in Professional Cookery

Have you thought about a career in hospitality and catering? It’s the kind of environment where you will have to think on your feet and make quick decisions daily. More importantly there will never be a shortage of excellent employment opportunities. After all, everyone needs to eat and drink and every catering outlet needs qualified staff. You could develop your career, beginning as a commis chef through to becoming a head chef and working in a busy kitchen. Salaries range from £12k - £50k+. If you like dealing with people, there are plenty of opportunities for waiters and waitresses, in addition to bar and restaurant managers. Southampton has many great opportunities in kitchens, restaurants, hotels and on cruise liners. You could also work abroad.

City College can help you get started in this very lively industry or prepare you for further study at university.

Example Careers

Chef, Waiter, Kitchen Assistant, Restaurant Manager, Bar Manager, Hotel Manager, Mobile or Contract Catering Manager, Banqueting and Events Manager.

Specialist Facilities

You will train in the college’s dedicated training kitchens and Restaurant Aspire, and will work in regular service during your time at college when Restaurant Aspire opens to the public for lunches and dinner during term time.

How Will I Be Assessed?

You will be observed doing a range of practical tasks in the kitchen and restaurant environment. You will also develop a portfolio of evidence.

Course information for parents

Level 3 (A level equivalent)

We have a range of level 3 programmes which are equivalent to 3 A levels (360 UCAS points). These information sheets are user friendly for parents. It gives you the main detail of the equivalence of the qualification along with an outline of course content, learning strategies, progression routes and a case study of a previous learner. This will help in forming what questions to ask at either one of our open evenings or when you come to a college interview with your son or daughter. Please click on the course link below:

• Hospitality & Catering leaflet

Celebrity chef returns to City College to meet catering students

Paul Ainsworth and Award Winners Paul Ainsworth is a former City College student and has gone on to achieve great success, using the skills he honed while studying catering and hospitality at the college.

After leaving college Paul followed the bright lights to London, where he spent two years with Gary Rhodes at Rhodes in the Square, and then three years with Gordon Ramsay working at Royal Hospital Road.

In 2003, Paul moved to the original Petrus site to work for Marcus Wareing for three years before finishing his time in London at the Berkeley Hotel with Marcus.

A pivotal moment in Paul's career occurred upon meeting Derek Mapp, with whose backing Paul and friends opened the popular restaurant in Padstow, Number 6, developing an ambitious menu.

When Paul took sole occupancy in 2009, Derek played an influential role outside the kitchen as Paul's business partner, friend and mentor.

In 2010, Paul and Derek bought Rojano's, a long-established Italian restaurant in the heart of Padstow. After a complete refurbishment and a new name - Rojano's in the Square - the restaurant is going from strength to strength whilst still maintaining the ethos that has built a loyal following.

Earlier this year Paul appeared on the BBC2 TV series Great British Menu. Competing against some of the nation's top chefs, Paul won the regional heats to represent the South West.