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Name:
 Michael Neil

Institution:
 Lewisham College

Michael teaches Professional Cookery Level 2 NVQ at Lewisham College.

 

Q. What qualifications route did you take to realise your cookery career? 
 I have the equivalent of an NVQ Level 2 and 3 in professional cookery and over 20 years experience working for Sheraton Hotels throughout across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
 
Q. Please explain what students will learn during your professional cookery course. 
Students will learn about preparing and cooking food in a professional kitchen. Health and Safety is really important and everyone must pass a level 2 award in Food Safety in Catering.   
 
Q. What’s the first thing you teach your students? 
Health and Safety, particularly knife skills!
 
Q. What qualities do you need to succeed in the catering industry?
It helps to be a people person as you need to be able to communicate effectively with your peers and listen to instructions.  Being on time and able to meet deadlines is important. 
 
Q. What are the benefits of studying your cookery subject?
A professional career in hospitality gives you good life skills to take to any industry. You can travel as there are good career prospects in hotel groups overseas and you can get promotion quickly if you work hard.    
 
Q. Please explain why you love your subject
Hospitality is a passion not a job.  To cater for people professionally and get positive feedback is very rewarding. There’s always a challenge as hotels and restaurants keep up with food trends, it always makes you eager to keep on learning.
 
Q. What skills do your students have by the end of the professional cookery course?
That depends on what level you complete, but if you study to level 3, it’s likely that you will have acquired very good food preparation and cooking skills as well as work placement in a top hotel / restaurant to gain extra experience.  Your first position would most likely be a commis chef or a chef de partie depending on your experience.
 
Q. What do students normally do once they’ve finished their cookery course?
The majority go into work or Higher Education.
 
Q. What’s the best way to go about getting a job in your industry?
The best way is by working while you study at College. Ensure you have a work placement during your course, or part time work in a restaurant or a kitchen. Check newspaper adverts and register with agencies to assist you in gaining employment.
 
Q. Can you describe a typical day in your working life?
In the kitchen by 9.00am ready to go through the recipe sheets, checking ingredients then food preparation and cooking which leads up to service time at noon. Students will work on their own sections e.g. meat, poultry or fish, you will cook for customers with the lecturer overseeing, so you actually learn while you’re cooking. After service everybody cleans to ensure high standards of hygiene. Remaining food is then labeled with dates and product names.
 
Q. What advice do you have for people interested in studying a professional cookery course like yours?
Be patient. Becoming a qualified chef is a learning process that can take many years to develop. Meet the challenges and don’t get put off by the long hours and sometimes low pay!
 

 

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Hospitality / Catering Courses at
Lewisham College

Hospitality Certificate in Professional Food and Beverage Service Level 1

This course allows those wishing to gain knowledge and practical skills to work in front of house. It covers a range of essential skills and knowledge and will enable them to gain confidence to deliver a high level of service... more

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Lewisham College

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Lewisham College , one of the UK’s first Beacon colleges, caters for students aged 14 upwards as well as offering excellent employee...more