Charles Darwin University (CDU TAFE)
1 year full-time or 2.5 years part-time
Gain industry-ready culinary skills through hands-on training in commercial food preparation, cooking techniques, and kitchen management. Perfect for aspiring cooks seeking a nationally accredited vocational qualification.
Applicants must attend a formal interview with the course coordinator to determine suitability. While there is no formal qualification entry requirement, students are expected to have employment in a relevant position in a commercial kitchen to satisfy core unit requirements. A Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy (LLND) evaluation helps identify support needs. Students must wear complete chef uniforms and provide their own tools of trade including chef's knives.
The course comprises 25 units of competency covering: Food preparation and equipment use, basic cooking methods, appetizers and salads, stocks and sauces, vegetable and fruit preparation, vegetarian and vegan dishes, poultry and meat preparation, seafood dishes, cakes and pastries, special dietary requirements, food safety and hygiene practices, kitchen cleaning and maintenance, recipe planning and costing, dessert production, and workplace communication. Elective units include sustainable work practices, sandwich preparation, buffet service, cheese preparation, and specialized food items.
CDU is the Northern Territory's largest training provider offering industry-ready skills and experience. The institution provides expert lecturers and industry professionals, first-class facilities, and recognition of prior learning to help students qualify faster. CDU offers flexible study options and comprehensive student support services, with packages into higher education available for most courses.
Graduates can pursue careers as professional cooks in commercial kitchens, restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and hospitality venues. The qualification provides pathways to further training including SIT40521 Certificate IV in Kitchen Management and other relevant Certificate IV and higher qualifications. Students develop skills applicable across the hospitality and food service industry.
Course fee
Start date
You will be redirected to the training provider to enquire directly. Workinitiatives is not the course or training provider. We aggregate and list courses only.