A flexible and modern cookery course designed to turn students into confident cooks. Our ‘confident cookery’ series is designed for students who want to learn a wide range of ‘go to’ recipes and menus for a lifetime of cooking, part time work, gap year travel and Duke of Edinburgh Skills.

This bespoke suite of courses has been designed around menus rather than skills, and the course is taught through a broad range of menus for different customers and occasions. The lessons are designed to build confidence in preparing and cooking a wide range of recipes – students master recipes from the everyday to special occasions; from breakfasts and casual brunches to afternoon tea, sharing plates and celebratory dinners.

Leiths Confident Cookery 30 and 40 week courses can be delivered in a variety of ways. They require the equivalent of a single demonstration lesson and a double practical lesson each week, but delivery can be tailored to suit your individual requirements. Leiths teachers will visit regularly to support staff and students alike and the Academy team are on hand to provide general support and guidance. Each menu is tasted, marked and photographed and evidence is collated via our interactive online portal. The course culminates in a graded final practical assessment where students cook a given menu for a visiting Leiths teacher. It also includes a Level 2 online food hygiene and allergens assessment – invaluable for future employment.

Our Introduction to Confident Cookery course has been designed for commercial delivery on evenings, weekends and during school holidays.  It can be offered in a variety of ways from an intensive 5-day course, perfect for Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential, to a relaxed general interest course at evenings or weekends. Suitable for students of all ages, this course does not include support visits or formal assessments.

Example dishes include duck breasts with teriyaki and plum sauce, pulled chicken and red pepper fajitas and Prosecco peaches with honey mascarpone.

Leiths Confident Cookery has been designed to be flexible. It can be delivered both on and off timetable (or a combination of both), and over as many terms as you require to suit your individual needs. Leiths Confident Cookery can be delivered in a variety of ways both on and off timetable to suit a school’s individual requirements.

• Accredited by the Leiths School of Food and Wine
• The majority of the TQT will be spent in the kitchen although demonstrations, formal classes, independent study, group tasks, revision and assessments are all included.

Timetabling per week:

To ensure that the required GLH for this qualification is met we stipulate that each school assigns suitable lesson time. The below lesson/teaching time for Theory, Demonstration and Practical lessons (all in minutes) are set out below:

• 1 x 50 minute demonstration lesson
• 1 x 120 minute (2 hour) practical lesson. This includes time for cleaning down and eating.

Portfolio of Evidence: 

Students are required to build a practical cooking log of weekly menus to include photographs of completed dishes, tasting marks and student evaluations.

Assessment: 

The final assessment is made of the following elements:

• One 2 ½ hour practical assessment marked by a visiting Leiths examiner. This will take place towards the end of the course
• Level 2 Food Hygiene and Allergens course and examination. This course is conducted online and must be completed within six weeks of starting the course
• One written menu planning task which will need to be uploaded to the portal

DofE Skills:

If delivered off the timetable as an enrichment course, this course is also suitable for Bronze and Silver DofE Skills.

For more information use the ‘Contact Us’ form below.

Leiths Confident Cookery at LVS Ascot

Leiths Confident Cookery at New Hall School

1. What is the Leiths Introduction to Confident Cookery Course?

   The Leiths Introduction to Confident Cookery Course is a culinary program designed to provide beginners with the fundamental cooking skills and confidence needed to prepare delicious and satisfying meals at home. It’s an ideal course for those who want to improve their cooking abilities and gain kitchen confidence.

2. How long is the Leiths Confident Cookery Course?

   You can choose to run the course of 30 or 40 weeks. We even have a short 1 week ‘Introduction to Confident Cookery Course’ that can be used as the residential task of Gold Duke of Edinburgh.

3. Do I need any prior cooking experience to enroll in this course?

   No prior cooking experience is required. The course aims to build your confidence and skills from the ground up, making it accessible to all levels of learners.
   
   

4. What cooking skills will I learn during Course?

   During this course, you will acquire a range of fundamental cooking skills, including:

   • Knife skills and food preparation techniques
   • Basic cooking methods (e.g., sautéing, roasting, and simmering)
   • Flavor profiles and seasoning
   • Recipe reading and following
   • Meal planning and time management
     
     

   By the end of the course, you should feel confident in preparing a variety of dishes and exploring your culinary creativity.

   • Improved cooking skills and techniques
   • Enhanced kitchen confidence
   • The ability to prepare a wide range of meals from scratch
   • Greater understanding of ingredients and flavors
   • A strong foundation for further culinary exploration and advanced courses
     
     
5. What are the benefits of completing this course?
   
   Completing the Leiths Confident Cookery Course offers several benefits, including: Whether you aim to cook for yourself, family, or friends, this course empowers you to enjoy the pleasures of home cooking and opens the door to more advanced culinary adventures.