Introductory Award in Cookery Skills
£3,995.00
Monday 5th January – Friday 30th January 2026
9:30am – 4pm
This fast-paced, hands-on course focuses on mastering essential cookery skills. Most of your time will be spent in the kitchen – cooking, plating, tasting, and refining your techniques through daily practice, demonstrations, and expert feedback.
Places Available
Monday 5th January – Friday 30th January 2026
9:30am – 4pm
What is the learning environment like at ENTCS?
We offer a highly supportive, hands-on learning experience with a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:8, ensuring every student receives personalised guidance, tailored feedback, and meaningful one-to-one support. You’ll cook individually, in pairs, and as part of a team — mirroring the pace and structure of a professional kitchen.
Who are the teachers at ENTCS?
Our teaching team brings together an exceptional breadth of expertise, including specialists in global cuisines, chefs with Michelin-star experience, professional culinary trainers, high-end catering professionals, and qualified home economics teachers. Many of our tutors have trained at leading culinary schools across Great Britain and Ireland, and each brings a wealth of industry knowledge, technical skill, and real-world insight to the classroom.
Our teaching style is personal, relaxed, and highly supportive, yet firmly grounded in professionalism. Tutors provide thoughtful, rigorous, and actionable feedback, helping you progress with confidence while stretching your abilities to ensure you reach your full potential.
How will I learn during the programme?
Our philosophy is simple: learn by doing.
You’ll gain practical experience every day, supported by demonstrations that blend theory with practice, helping you understand not just how to cook, but why techniques work. This approach builds technical skill, confidence, and deep culinary understanding.
What learning formats and resources are included?
To support every learning style, we offer:
- Live, close-up teaching of key techniques in the kitchen
- Comprehensive demonstrations in our purpose-built demonstration room
- Bite-sized video tutorials you can revisit anytime to refine your skills
This multi-layered approach accelerates progress and strengthens long-term learning.
Where is the school located?
We’re based in the heart of Edinburgh, one of the UK’s most vibrant culinary capitals, celebrated for its world-class ingredients, artisan makers, and thriving restaurant scene. We are conveniently located in the city centre only a 10 minute walk from Wavery Train Station, and 5 minutes walk from St Andrews Square Tram stop. Our school sits within a beautifully converted Georgian townhouse — a welcoming hub of creativity, knowledge and opportunity.
What support is available beyond the kitchen?
At ENTCS, cooking is only the beginning. We help you create, connect and elevate your ambitions through:
One-to-one CV development
Interview coaching and confidence building
Introductions to trusted recruiters and key industry contacts
This guidance ensures you’re prepared for a successful and fulfilling career.
What career paths can this diploma lead to?
Graduates go on to thrive in a wide range of roles, including:
Restaurants and fine dining
Hotels and luxury lodges
Private cheffing and catering
Product development
Food entrepreneurship
Supper clubs and street food ventures
Some alumni have progressed to become Michelin-starred chefs and successful culinary founders.
Are your courses only for those pursuing a professional chef career?
Not at all. While many students continue into professional kitchens, the diploma also suits passionate home cooks who want to refine their skills, deepen their knowledge, and cook with greater confidence for themselves and their families.
What makes this course immersive?
From day one, you’ll train in professional kitchens, cook alongside like-minded peers, and build the mindset and professionalism needed for today’s culinary world.
What will I walk away with at the end of the course?
You’ll graduate with:
Strong technical foundations
A confident personal cooking style
A deeper connection to food
The knowledge to work professionally or cook beautifully at home
The confidence to take your next step – wherever it leads
Because when you learn to create with purpose, connect with passion, and elevate through knowledge, the possibilities are endless.
We have strong links with a number of employment agencies and will help to prepare you for the job market on completion of the course.
Students are required to wear chef’s jackets, trousers, aprons and hats and you will need to buy a set of knives at an extra cost of approximately £250 – £300. To see what some of our ex-students are doing now visit our case studies area of the website.
This course is suitable for adults over the age of 16 only. Please contact us for more information.
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