Course Overview 
Get ready to taste success with this ICS home study course!You'll study a number of great topics and learn all the techniques needed to transform raw ingredients into something mouth-watering. You'll discover how to cook perfect pastries, how to make meat melt in the mouth and how to make superb stocks and soups. You'll also learn many of the skills needed to run your very own catering business! From table service, to buffet presentation to assessing clients' needs, this course has it all.

This course is ideal for people who want to be able to cook well in order to host dinner parties, as well as for those thinking of starting a business to cater for functions such as weddings and parties.

Cooking labs include: Seared Beef, Carmelised Onion Frittata, Stir-fried Beans, Chateaubriand, Rack of Lamb, Stuffed Chicken Breast, Striped Sea Bass, Sesame Shiitake Noodles and Filo Pear Tart.

Key Topics
Introduction to Catering
Dynamics of Catering
Food Styles of Catering
Alcoholic Beverages
The Culinary Professional
Stocks, Sauces and Soups
Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs
Meat
Poultry and Game
Fish and Shellfish
Grains, Legumes and Pastas
Breakfast and Presentation

Pre-requisites 
The great news is that you don't need any previous experience to take this course.

Study Time
90 hours approx. For example: 7.5 hours per week to complete in 3 months, or 2 hours per week to complete in 12 months. Study as little or as much as you wish.

Support 
As an ICS home learning student, you will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have.  Plus our team of student advisers are only a phone call away for all the practical advice you may need - so we really are with you 100% of the way.

Exam Details 
At the end of each unit you complete a test, send it to us, and we'll send you your mark through the post.  Access to an equipped kitchen is required for the cooking labs.  You will also need to purchase the required produce for the labs - but you do get to eat your culinary creations!

Qualification
ICS Diploma in Catering and Gourmet Cooking

What our students say 
"ICS offered me the flexibility of studying when I wanted. Whenever I needed to speak to someone I received good information and all the support I needed." Clare Bottomley, ICS Graduate, Surrey

Key Jobs 
You may decide to start your own freelance catering business or enter a career in the culinary sector, perhaps as a chef or catering manager. Top chefs can can upwards of £25,000 although this is dependent of the size of the establishment, and the experience and qualifications of the individual.

Free With Course
Theory of Catering Textbook
The Professional Chef Textbook
Chef Skills Video
Seared Tuna Video
Fillet with Red Wine Mushrooms Video
Stir-fried Beans Video
Stuffed Chicken Breast Video

Further Reading
It is necessary to read the FREE books included in your course to supplement your learning.