SQA National Qualifications in Practical Cookery

The main purpose of the Practical Cookery courses is to develop learners’ practical cookery skills and their knowledge and understanding of ingredients and to provide a set of foundation skills for those who wish to progress to professional hospitality courses or work.

Practical Cookery is available at N4 and N5 and has four distinct units:

This unit will develop learners’ cookery skills, food preparation techniques and their ability to follow cookery processes, in the context of producing dishes.

This unit will develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of ingredients from a variety of different sources and their uses. It also addresses the importance of responsible sourcing of ingredients and of current dietary advice.

This unit will develop learners’ organisational and time management skills… They will also further develop the ability to carry out an evaluation of the product.

Learners will produce a two or three-course meal, safely and hygienically.

Assessment

To achieve at N4, all learners must pass each unit assessment and complete the Practical Assignment to a satisfactory level.  

At N5, learners must pass all unit assessments and complete a Practical Assignment as set by SQA worth 100 marks.  This course is graded A-C.

Progression

The Scottish tourism industry employs more than 200,000 people, representing 9 percent of all Scottish jobs, and is a fun, vibrant and fast paced industry to be part of.

From catering to marketing there are many paths to pursue and a multitude of skills are required to keep the Scottish tourism industry developing in this ever changing consumer world.

Educational establishments across Scotland offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and executive development programmes and training courses to provide the necessary skills for the tourism and hospitality industry.

Skills for Work: Hospitality SCQF Level 5

In this course you will develop the skills required to work in a professional working environment, including hospitality, front of house and kitchen work. You will gain a variety of useful and creative kitchen skills, excellent hygiene knowledge and essential food service skills. You will cook a variety of dishes which demonstrate your cookery and hygiene skills.

You will showcase all that you have learned by planning, delivering and catering a variety of exciting school events for our wider school community. This will allow you to share your new found hospitality skills and get a flavour for the industry.

This is a Personal Development option for S5 and S6.