Course Summary
Course Category: CAO (Higher Education - HET)
If you are an aspiring chef who would like to work in a restaurant or hotel, or looking to pursue a career in food development, this is the right course for you.
In addition to learning the theory and practice of professional cookery, you will explore gastronomy and innovation in food and expand your understanding of issues such as dietary requirements, menu planning, people management, marketing, communication and managing finances.
Course Details
What will you study?
Progression to CAO Courses
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Further Research
Career Progression
You can pursue work as a professional chef in the hospitality sector in Ireland or overseas, progressing over time to Executive Chef or perhaps running your own restaurant. You may also choose to pursue work opportunities in the wider food sector. A Culinary Arts qualification is a passport to travel. Many graduates hold leading positions with top hospitality brands around the world.
On completion of this course graduates can progress to the 1 year level 7 add-on BA in Culinary Arts.
