Professional Patisserie and Confectionery

This Professional Patisserie & Confectionery course is for the aspiring pastry chefs of the future.

It will give you the opportunity to gain a professional qualification in order to start or further your career in the catering industry as a pastry chef. Working in our new state of the art training kitchens as well as our modern professional production kitchens for our Aspire Restaurant, this course will give you the skills and techniques required to work as a Pastry Chef.

On this course you will follow a full-time Study Programme made up of the following four compulsory elements to best prepare you for progression to employment, apprenticeships, further study or applying to university:

• The main subject qualification
• Work experience for a minimum of 37 hours or, on some courses, up to 50 days over an academic year. You will be expected to find placements by researching companies, contacting employers and speaking with college staff. 
• English and maths where students have not yet achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in these subjects
• Additional enhancing activities such as tutorials and work-related learning, including careers fairs, site visits and guest speakers, to help further develop the personal skills relevant to your progression goals

The Professional Patisserie and Confectionery qualification

• Investigate hospitality industry
• Health and safety in the hospitality industry
• Healthier food and special diets
• Catering operations, costs and menu planning
• Workplace skills
• Produce hot and cold desserts and puddings
• Pastry products
• Produce biscuit, cake and sponges
• Fermented dough products

Trips, visits and activities

As part of the course you will also take part in industry trips and activities including networking events, visits and guest lectures. Previous events have included:

• Guest speakers
• Site visits
• Work experience
• Industry week activities

Our modern commercial kitchens and commercial fine dining restaurant (Aspire) will provide you with the perfect place to learn your trade in this industry. Gain valuable experience of working in the restaurant and at catering events that will build your CV and enhance your employability.

Explore our virtual tour - Aspire Restaurant (new window)

Explore our virtual tour - Training Kitchens (new window)

Course assessed by:

• 100% coursework / practical

4 GCSEs grade 4 or above (including English and maths) 

You will be required to attend a College interview prior to enrolling onto this course.

Find out more about How to Apply

You will need catering equipment including full chef’s whites and safety shoes costing approximately £110. You will also need a set of chef knives costing approximately £70.

All ingredients are provided by the college.