Question

I am a 20-year-old South African travelling in the UK. I would love to do a chef course while I'm here. Where do I go, and what would be the cost?

Answer

Ian Horrox, human resources director, Conran Restaurants & Retail:

There are reputable companies that offer short-term courses in London. Just to name a few there is Le Cordon Bleu, London Culinary Institute, and Leiths. The price of the course varies, depending on the length and level you attend. Both Leiths and Le Cordon Bleu offer courses ranging from professional qualifications to enthusiastic amateurs, details of which can be found on the companies' websites - Leiths (www.leiths.com) and Le Cordon Bleu (www.lcblondon.com).

Although expensive, these are the private company options: Leiths courses range from evening and interest classes for the enthusiastic amateur, lasting a half-day to 10 weeks. The professional courses range from a diploma in Food and Wine, three-term course, to a Basic Certificate in Practical Cookery, four weeks.

Le Cordon Bleu offers Classic courses for those seeking professional development: the Basic Pƒtisserie takes 11 weeks to complete and the Grand Diploma takes nine months. It also offers specialist and gourmet courses - Essentials is held during the summer, and the gourmet courses, designed for the enthusiastic amateur, range from a one-day chocolate workshop to a three-day techniques course.

Alternatively, if you're in the UK for a longer period of time, local colleges offer part-time and full-time courses. The Springboard website (www.springboard.co.uk) will show you the colleges around the country.

Many hotels and restaurants offer NVQs, or equivalent training, on the job. A full-time position will help develop other skills, as the environment of a busy kitchen is something that can only be experienced on the job. Choose a reputable establishment, with a planned training and development programme. Contact well-known hotel and restaurant groups, or look at their websites, to give you an idea of what's on offer.


If you'd like to submit a question, send it to chris.druce@rbi.co.uk.