Assistant Cook ( Level 3 Vocational Training)
An assistant cook is an indispensable member of the kitchen staff who works as part of a team under the guidance of an experienced chef. The assistant cook handles food preparation, helps prepare and serve meals, and ensures cleanliness and order. If you enjoy working in the kitchen, value cleanliness, and are looking for hands-on work that doesn’t require prior education, this career is a great way to get started in the culinary world.
Duration of Study: A compact and substantive curriculum totaling 60 ECTS credits (lasting approximately 1 year).
What exactly do you study and do?
- Raw Material Preparation and Receiving: You will learn how to weigh food items, prep vegetables, meat, fish, and other products, and assist the chef with storage and inventory.
- Food Preparation: Under the guidance of a chef, you will learn to prepare sandwiches, salads, soups, simple main courses, side dishes, desserts, and cold beverages.
- Serving and Customer Service: You’ll learn how to arrange food portions and platters attractively, set and clear tables, and interact politely with customers.
- Cleanliness and Hygiene: You will learn how to properly clean kitchen equipment, wash dishes, and tidy up the kitchen and dining room, while strictly adhering to food safety and hygiene requirements.
- Teamwork and Digital Skills: You will learn to work as part of a team in high-pressure situations, follow safety guidelines, and use basic computer programs (e.g., word processing and spreadsheets).
Course Options
This is a shorter, practical foundational program, so there are no specific areas of specialization. However, through elective courses, you can learn about computer skills, hospitality, beverage service, or etiquette and protocol to further expand your skills.
Is this field right for you?
- A basic education is not required to begin studies.
- This job is right for you if you enjoy working as part of a team, can handle stressful situations well, and value order, precision, and cleanliness.
- The program is offered in a full-time (school-based) format, which includes a great deal of hands-on work and an extensive internship (15 ECTS credits) at actual food service establishments.
Where to next?
The program concludes with a vocational exam; upon successful completion, you will receive a “Assistant Cook, Level 3” vocational certificate. As a graduate, you can expect a secure job in restaurants, cafes, cafeterias, or other food service establishments, where you can continue your career and pursue further training to become a full-time chef, if you wish.
