Professional Cookery

The professional cookery industry is continuing to grow in response to demand as consumers are spending more time dining out, with new restaurants continuously popping up covering a huge range of cultures, concepts and cuisines. People are engaging with new and exciting foods, resulting in the many opportunities that arise in this sector.

As a college, we offer a range of professional cookery courses in a variety of different levels, from introductory (Level 4) right up to HNC to prepare you for employment within this industry.

We have excellent links with local employers and related organisations, and we use these relationships to benefit our students by bringing in knowledgeable speakers from the industry and securing work placements. Our previous professional cookery students have received sessions from HIT Scotland and from many hotel owners both boutique and commercial.

As a college, we know that not all learning takes place within a classroom or college setting. We take students to various organisations and settings, with previous students visiting the kitchens of 5 star hotels such as The Balmoral in Edinburgh. Students also get the opportunity to gain work experience at internal and external events, with highlights for previous students being preparing and serving a three course meal at the Member’s Restaurant within the Scottish Parliament, and catering a large charity banquet for The Wobbily Williams Foundation. Previous professional cookery students have also had the option to travel abroad for a work placement, with groups travelling to both Annecy and Calais in France, and the prosecco region in Italy.

Our professional cookery students also complete a placement to allow them to build the skills and experience needed to excel in their future career. Previous students have had the opportunity for work placements within a range of hotels and catering settings including Food Creations, Gleneagles and The Balmoral Hotel, some of who are now in permanent employment with their placement companies following their course.

A series of "How to" videos featuring cookery tips by our very own Chef Andy can be found here

Tyler is a professional cookery student who embraced every opportunity made available to her at West Lothian College. Find out more in this video

Careers in Professional Cookery

A career in professional cookery is varied and exciting, with opportunities to specialise in a huge range of cuisines and environments, or to open your own restaurant or catering business. To be successful in a professional cookery role generally requires you to be passionate about food and a willingness to constantly strive to meet the sophisticated palettes of restaurant customers.

Demand for chefs is at an all-time high, and there is expected to be over 800 new positions created in food & drink over the next 10 years in West Lothian alone, with greater opportunities available within Edinburgh & Glasgow.

Our lecturers bring with them years of experience and knowledge, previously working as the Head Chef at Balmoral, Gleneagles Hotel, Cafe Andazluz in Edinburgh or owning their own catering firms.

On completion of your course you can work in positions such as kitchen assistant, catering manager, head chef, commis chef, pastry chef, sous chef or patisserie chef. Previous student have found employment with Sheraton Hotel and Dakota Hotel.