Cooking
Begin your journey from home cook to professional chef. A cookery qualification from Otago Polytechnic will open the door to this exciting industry with a huge range of job opportunities in restaurants, bars, cafés, catering companies, vineyards, or hotels.
Our Cooking qualifications will give you the chance to get hands-on experience in our campus restaurants, learning the latest techniques, tastes and flavours. The essential kitchen, supervisory and business skills you'll gain will allow you to hit the ground running in the food and hospitality industries.
Our campuses have different flavours when it comes to cookery, and you can choose which suits your style. At our Cromwell campus in Central Otago, you can immerse yourself in our ‘paddock to plate’ ethos using local and seasonal produce for your dish creations. This unique region provides a range of fresh ingredients, from high country merino, venison and salmon to delicious fruits and berries.
At our Dunedin campus, you’ll have the chance to cook with fresh produce sourced from the Campus Living Gardens and take part in the themed meals, cooking in our Food Truck and for events that are run regularly by the hospitality students for members of the public.
Cooking qualifications
Food & Hospitality
Learn essential food preparation and cookery techniques and gain valuable commercial and kitchen experience in our training restaurant. In this entry-level programme, you will learn about health and safety, food safety, and how to interact with customers. This programme provides a great pathway into our Level 4 qualification.Duration
17 Weeks Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Kitchen Hand, Kitchen Prep, Trainee Cook
Food & Hospitality
Get stuck into some serious hands-on learning during this programme with loads of practical cooking in our training kitchens and a work placement in a local business. Build your range of cooking skills so you can prepare, cook and present a variety of dishes, develop your hospitality management skills, learn how to create a safe workplace, and discover how to develop communication, leadership, and critical thinking.Duration
1 Year Full-time
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Career potential
Business owner, Caterer, Cook
Food & Hospitality
Earn while you learn with our in-work cookery qualification which is designed for those already working in a kitchen. Learn to design your own advanced dishes and menus, to manage workflow, staffing and supplies in a commercial kitchen. Develop a deep understanding of sustainable practice, and ensure you’re current with regional, national and global cuisine trends.Duration
1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time
Delivery
Work-based, Distance
Location
Otago
Career potential
Business owner, Chef, Cook, Menu Designer
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
