Cooks Academy Certificate Course Overview

On our fast track Certificate Course you will learn all the fundamentals of cooking within a concise four week timeframe.  It combines daily practical work and guest lecturers together with theoretical sessions enabling you to become a confident and accomplished cook for the rest of your life.

At the end of the course you will be thoroughly familiar with classical and contemporary cooking techniques enabling you to start to cook professionally for a living or as a serious amateur.  Not only will you become a cook with flair and creativity but you will learn about other aspects of working kitchen operations such as menu planning and stock rotation,  together with good leadership and communication skills.  There is an emphasis on developing classical cookery techniques that meet the requirements and tastes of today's demanding, food interested consumers.

Your course folder containing over 450 tried and tested Cooks Academy recipes together with comprehensive notes and handouts is an invaluable resource that you will have with you forever as a definitive reference bible.

Contact Cooks Academy for a detailed Prospectus

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The Certificate Course is packed full of interesting guest lectures including cheese appreciation, wholefood cookery, food safety and even food costing.  The course focuses on new techniques, handling crises and great recipes that work!  We even organise a night where you can bring along a friend for a Canapé Party and Wine Appreciation Lecture hosted by you.

Cooks Academy assists students in searching for job and career opportunities in hospitality and catering should they wish.  Previous graduates have gone on to work in top outlets and restaurants including Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt. 

Cooks Academy also has the facility in place to offer graduates a “stage” (temporary work experience placement) in leading Irish restaurants and in particular we have an arrangement with the Itsa4 restaurant group.

Our team of full time tutors is second to none.  The course is headed up by Eleanor Martin and Sarah Hughes.  Guest appearances include our very own Vanessa Greenwood [read bio] and Richie Wilson, Morrison Hotel.

Some do the Certificate Course just for the hell of it!  Maybe you've got the time and the money and you've always wanted to do a serious cookery course just as a treat for you. 

On the other hand this course will suit you perfectly if you are thinking about entering a career in hospitality or catering.  You may be thinking of setting up or getting a job in a restaurant, delicatessen or coffee shop or perhaps you'd like to get into outside catering or cook and run a stall at a Farmer's Market.  If you are looking for a cooking job in a ski-chalet, luxury yacht, country home or just about anywhere that has a kitchen this course will teach you all the fundamentals of cooking enabling you to cook and cater with confidence.  There is no minimum or maximum age limit and students of all abilities from beginner right up to experienced chef participate.

Each Cooks Academy Certificate Course is limited to a maximum of 14 students to ensure best attention and to facilitate the demanding syllabus.

We've put together a selection of just some of the nice things recent Graduates of the Cooks Academy Certificate Course have said about it.

1. 'Exceptional Cookery Course with excellent results achieved.'

2. ‘For such a short time, the amount you learn is unreal and really interesting.’

3. ‘This Course taught me more about cooking than I have learnt in 20 years. It’s hard but it’s so fulfilling; it also increases your confidence considerably’.

4. ‘All you need to know to start off your career in the food industry, or for your own personal use, packed into an intense but highly enjoyable 4 weeks in a friendly, helpful atmosphere’.

5. 'Outstanding in every way and each day you feel a sense of achievement when you plate up.'

6. 'This course is very intensive and covers a lot of material.  Prepare to work hard and you will certainly feel a sense of achievement at the end.'

7. 'An unforgettable month, I learned things every day.  A very special place with extra special people.'

Because we uniquely focus on our students, their development, consistency, quality and value for money we can easily guarantee that you will leave Cooks Academy after one month with the confidence and knowledge: training and skill to succeed in whatever food career you choose.