New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 4)

Progress from novice to intermediate-level trainee as you master cold larder dishes, hot meals, complex preparation and presentation techniques, plus a delicious range of patisserie and desserts. You'll sharpen your practical cooking skills while gaining insight into how a professional kitchen operates, including hands-on experience at UCOL’s very own training restaurants, Ambitions and Visions. 

If you're studying in Palmerston North, you’ll even get the chance to create the meals served at Ambitions Training Restaurant.

Here's our delicious crispy fish 'n chips in 20 seconds

This programme runs for 40 weeks, including 6 holiday weeks.

Per week, your learning will include approximately:

Class Time

21 hrs

Lectures, tutorials and/or online recordings, cookery practicals, timetable set by your lecturer.

Industry Experience

1 hr

Kitchen time in UCOL training kitchen.

Study Time

13 hrs

Study in your own time.

You can also choose to study part-time or possibly by paper. Talk to us about your options with this programme. If you’re already in work, this programme is available as an in-work qualification.

This programme comprises 120 credits.

Cookery Fundamentals (30 Credits)

Learn standards of professional practice for basic and complex cookery. The course covers:

• Health, safety and hygiene practices in a commercial kitchen environment.

• Learn about, monitor and maintain the operation of equipment.

• Scene assessment, hazards and priority setting.

• Environmental safety and personal safely process.

• Basic life support and management of first aid situations in a simulated setting.

• Basic and essential industry skills - recipe interpretation; weighing and measuring; preparation of ingredients; preparation and use of equipment; introduction to processes and methods; commodity knowledge; terminology; and basic food safety and nutrition.

• Prepare, produce and present a range of basic and hot kitchen dishes in a commercial kitchen.

• A range of essential basic and complex cooking skills.

• Introduction to basic and complex stocks, soups, sauces and methods of cookery.

• Professional practice standards.

Applied Complex Cookery Skills (30 Credits)

Learn standards of professional practice for complex cookery. The course covers:

• Health, safety and hygiene practices in a commercial kitchen environment.

• Team communication and interaction skills.

• Sociocultural skills to work in a commercial kitchen environment.

• Working as part of a team.

• Monitor and maintain equipment.

• Explain basic nutrition applications.

• Write menus incorporating nutrients including healthy foods and special diets.

• Prepare, produce and present a range of complex hot kitchen, patisserie and dessert dishes in a commercial kitchen.

• Essential industry skills - recipe interpretation; weighing and measuring; preparation of ingredients; preparation and use of equipment; introduction to processes and methods; commodity knowledge; terminology; and basic food safety and nutrition.

• Professional practice standards.

Restaurant Cookery and Professional Practice (30 Credits)

Learn to work as a chef in intermediate positions producing complex dishes in a commercial kitchen.

• Demonstrate team communication and interaction skills.

• Apply effective sociocultural skills to work in a commercial kitchen.

• Apply industry knowledge to working as part of a team.

• Prepare, produce and present a range of complex cold larder, hot kitchen, patisserie and dessert dishes in a commercial kitchen.

• Essential industry skills:

  • Recipe interpretation

  • Weighing and measuring

  • Preparation of ingredients

  • Preparation and use of equipment

  • Introduction to processes and methods

  • Commodity knowledge

  • Terminology

  • Basic food safety and nutrition

• Demonstrate professional practice standards.

Industry Cookery Skills (30 Credits)

Learn how to enhance your employment opportunities in a commercial kitchen across the hospitality sector.

Our ākonga learn from industry experienced professionals and gain practical experience in our commercial kitchen and restaurant in Palmerston North.

NCEA Level 2

OR

equivalent academic achievement

OR

on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean.

English language proficiency

International learner applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

Under 20 years of age

In addition to this, international applicants under 20 years of age must have NCEA equivalency.

The programme is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020, and Universal College of Learning is accredited to teach it.

Successful graduates of the UCOL New Zealand Certificate in Cookery will be able to:

• Monitor and maintain health and safety, food safety and security practices

• Manage workplace and customer relationships

• Apply standard operating policies and procedures to work roles in a commercial kitchen

• Prepare, cook and present a range of cold larder dishes, hot kitchen dishes, and a range of patisserie and desserts employing complex preparation and presentation techniques.

Employment opportunities include working in:

• Commercial kitchens

• Commercial catering businesses

• Cafe kitchens

• Institutional catering

To find out more about possible job prospects and salaries for Chefs, visit tahatu.govt.nz

UCOL Hospitality Schools are members of NZ Chefs. We are active participants in Manawatū Hospitality Awards and each campus is well supported by our local industries.

Full attendance is encouraged to maximise learning opportunities and to optimise success for learners. To meet external examination requirements, 80% attendance of practical classes is compulsory.

This programme may require learners to work after hours when studying at the Palmerston North campus.

It is recommended that applicants have met the literacy and numeracy requirements for NCEA Level 1 or equivalent.

Learners need to be aware of the physical requirements for operating in a commercial kitchen environment. Learners will be advised to put any special needs or requirements in writing and advise the Head of School before the programme begins.

Timetable

Your personalised timetable will be available just before classes starting, and will comprise a weekly commitment of:

• 22.5 hours of lecturer-supported learning (practical learning in UCOL's professional kitchen, theory and computer work)

• 13 hours of self-directed learning (your own time spent on practical skill development, theory and computer work to complete your assignments)
  

Recognition of prior learning

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, including Cross Credit, Credit Transfer and Assessment of Prior Learning, may be made on the Recognition of Prior Learning Form where a student believes all learning outcomes for a course have already been met. Applications will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the UCOL Academic Statute and other relevant policies and procedures.

Application checklist

It will make the process easier if you prepare the following before you apply:

• National Student Number (NSN) (If you don't have a NSN, you may request one from NZQA, or you can supply a verified copy of your birth certificate, passport or Whakapapa statement.)

• Evidence of your highest level of academic achievement (and evidence of prior learning, if applicable)

• Evidence that you meet the entry requirements of the programme

• Check if you're eligible for additional support or a scholarship. If you're 19 years or younger, you may be eligible to enrol in one of our free Youth Transition programmes.

Note that you will need to provide any verified documents in person, via post or email (not via the online application form).

Please note that there are additional costs associated with the New Zealand Certificate in Cookery of approximately $824 follows:

• UCOL uniform

• Knives

• Shoes/Boots

• NZ Chef 4th Edition Text Book (optional - additional $153.99