Tutor, Paul, and catering student adding finishing touches to a dish

Catering students cooking in industry-standard kitchen

Hospitality & Catering

Our hospitality & catering courses are ideal for those who have a real passion for cooking and aim to seek employment in this exciting industry. Our wonderful culinary courses range from catering courses for school leavers to professional cooking courses for adults! Discover our full course selection below.

Our expert tutors and industry-standard equipment will provide you with the necessary skills to achieve success in the hospitality sector.

Students aged 16-18 Adults

Trips and visits

Hospitality and catering students will have the opportunity to visit local and national hospitality businesses, learning from industry experts and renowned chefs. You will also be able to visit fresh produce suppliers, such as butchers, fishmongers and vegetable suppliers.

Each year, students also have the chance to put their skills to the test by entering the Welsh International Culinary Championships.

Industry links

At Warrington & Vale Royal College we have outstanding connections with some of the best chefs in the North West. These include Gary Usher from Elite Bistros and Michelin-star chef Aiden Byrne from The Church Green Gastropub.

Our own successful past students regularly return to college to share their skills and experiences. Previous student Russell Wood, for instance, went on to work at 2 Michelin starred Moor Hall restaurant, and has returned to college on numerous occasions to deliver cooking masterclasses.

I am

16-18 Years Old

Beginning at Level 1 Culinary Skills, our hospitality and catering courses will help you gain the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to become a professional chef. Over the course of three years, you will develop advanced cookery techniques as well as discovering the operations aspect of a hospitality business. Once fully-qualified, you will be ready to seek employment in this fast-paced, thriving industry.

Level 1 Culinary Skills

Full Time

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Level 2 Culinary Skills

Full Time

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Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery

Full Time

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Meet our students

There is no other career I would have considered. I’ve wanted to cook since I was very young.”

Past student Liam Rogers studied Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery before progressing on to work in Michelin-starred restaurants including Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham and Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland.

Liam also made it through to the finals of the popular BBC cooking show MasterChef: The Professionals, impressing judges with his technique and presentation.

Liam Rogers

Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery

“This course has really helped me with my future career goals. It has provided the basic information to excel and improve my business.”

Travelling from Southport to attend our college, Kate found the course through an online search for options that best suited her wants and needs. The course has been a great help to Kate in propelling her career, providing her with the basic knowledge and skills needed to master a range of pastry techniques.

She says: “Chef has been so knowledgeable, patient and thorough throughout. I have felt very supported. He has made the course so enjoyable.”

Kate Petrie

Level 2 Patisserie & Confectionery

Previous student James Tomkins studied Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery at the college, during which he secured a work placement at The French, a prestigious restaurant boasting four AA Rosettes.

James impressed the head chef so much that he was offered a permanent position, and he has recently been promoted to chef de partie. James has even worked behind the scenes of BBC2's popular TV show The Great British Menu.

James Tomkins

Level 3 Advanced Professional Cookery

“Since becoming a student, I’ve realised there is more to the college than I originally thought. The facilities are good, the tutor is very helpful, and there is plenty of support and guidance.”

Jillian, a civil engineer by trade, chose to study at Warrington & Vale Royal College after discovering the course on our website. Having studied here previously, she was confident that it would be an enjoyable experience that would improve her baking skills. Currently working as a project manager, Jillian hopes to one day run her own bakery business – a venture she feels this course is preparing her well for.

Jillian Sanchez

Level 2 Patisserie & Confectionery

Meet our tutors

Paul Ratcliffe

Hospitality Tutor Paul Ratcliffe has many years of industry experience, having worked at numerous well-respected restaurants across the UK.

Paul enjoys sharing his skills and experience with his students, saying: "It has always been an ambition of mine to share my knowledge and passion for food and the hospitality industry."

Gareth Jones

With over 18 years of management experience, Gareth Jones is our front-of-house specialist and part of the college’s expert team of hospitality & catering tutors. Gareth had a stellar start to his career, achieving a first-class Masters degree in International Hospitality Management, this gave him a springboard into a successful career managing various top-quality restaurants in London and the North West, including spending 5 years at Michelin Star restaurants.

“We have a great team who really care about the development of our students. Our training restaurant is a great facility for putting the theory into practice and we are looking at lots of ways to build on the success of the restaurant in future.”

Cavan Sheppard

Tutor Cavan Sheppard has over 10 years of culinary experience and has worked in some of Warrington’s best-known restaurants. Alongside a team of expert tutors, he works hard to ensure our young chefs are equipped with the skills and experience to be successful in this fast-paced industry. He says:

“We have made sure that our hospitality & catering courses stand out because we not only focus on the fundamental methods of food preparation and service, but we also provide students with practical experience in running our onsite restaurant Buckley’s. Thinking about the future of the industry, we have put a strong emphasis on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and the use of local and seasonal ingredients.”

Explore our facilities

Industry Standard Kitchens

As a hospitality and catering student, you will benefit from learning in our industry-standard kitchens, which are equipped with the latest high-tech equipment such as rational ovens.

Buckley's Restaurant

Buckley's, the college's on-site restaurant, is an ideal setting for students to interact with guests and develop their customer service and communication skills.

Choosing a career based on Hospitality & Catering Back to top

Department news

11 March 2024

Meet Jade, Jillian & Stephen, a talented trio aspiring to become better bakers

11 March 2024

Meet Kate Petrie, enthusiastic entrepreneur learning a range of new skills

8 March 2024

Meet Hayley Tully, cake decorator with newfound passion for pastry

JPEG Competition winners with Rob Bruford and James Tomkins

28 June 2022

Local catering company hugely impressed with culinary talent on display at Warrington & Vale Royal College

26 May 2022

Warrington & Vale Royal College host first ever International Wine & Food Society Black Pudding Competition final judged by top chefs Paul Heathcote MBE and Aiden Byrne

19 May 2022

Warrington & Vale Royal College students battle to win cook-off in front of Michelin starred judges

24 January 2022