Join us for our Open Evening at Leiths on Thursday 5th February 2026, 6:30–8:30pm, and discover how the Culinary Diploma can launch your career in food.
Join us for our Open Evening at Leiths on Thursday 5th February 2026, 6:30–8:30pm, and discover how the Culinary Diploma can launch your career in food.
Broaden your culinary horizons and attain your practical qualification towards becoming a chef at sea.
Our Admissions team love to answer your questions and offer course suggestions to suit your goals.
Made your decision? Book on a course here and start your future in food.
Qualify to work as a chef on UK-registered commercial vessels. Complete Leiths’ three-day Assessment in Marine Cookery in our state-of-the-art professional kitchens – a requirement for chefs working offshore.
Put your culinary skills to the test over three intensive days. Complete a two-day practical cooking assessment and theory exam, demonstrating the standards required to cook at sea for crews of 10 or more seafarers.
This assessment forms one essential part of your overall MCA certification. Combined with your Level 2 Food Safety qualification, STCW basic safety courses and Medical Fitness Certificate, you’ll be equipped to apply for your Ships’ Cook Certificate.
The Leiths’ Assessment in Marine Cookery is a three day assessment for food professionals who want to gain the Ships’ Cook certificate. This is a mandatory requirement for all chefs wanting to work on UK-registered commercial vessels operating more than 60 miles offshore and with 10 or more seafarers on board.
Over the three days, you will complete a two-day cooking assessment and a theory exam, taking place in the Leiths’ state-of-the-art professional kitchens.
The Leiths’ assessment only forms part of the overall certification process. Under the MCA’s criteria, to achieve the overall certificate you must also have completed the Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering with face-to-face training, a Standards of Training Certification, Watchkeeping (STCW) basic safety courses and possess a current Medical Fitness Certificate. These are not covered in the Leiths assessment.
Once all achieved, successful candidates can then apply to the MCA for their Ships’ Cook Certificate and be well on their way to becoming a qualified chef at sea.
This assessment is run across three days, including one evening/afternoon session and two days.
A typical course schedule will consist of:
Day 1: Afternoon
A theory examination covering:
Once all candidates have completed the theory assessment, they will receive a briefing on kitchen orientation and skills.
Candidates will then be issued with the recipes on which they will be practically assessed, enabling them to prepare for the assessment.
Day 2:
A one-day practical, kitchen-based assessment in:
Candidates will be provided with a menu for assessment the day before.
Candidates will be assessed on hot and cold desserts, bread and pastry.
All competencies and food preparation requirements for assessment can be found in MCA MSN 1846 Document, Annex 2, which can be found here.
Day 3:
A one-day practical, kitchen-based assessment in:
Candidates will be provided with a menu for assessment the day before.
Candidates will then prepare, cook, finish, serve and evaluate each dish under assessment conditions.
The Chef Assessor will confirm the ranges covered and if competency has been demonstrated. Candidates may be asked additional verbal questions to ensure knowledge and competency in the skills assessment module.
Candidates will be allowed to take breaks during the assessment according to their own time management skills. Any breach of safe food practices or health and safety working practices will result in failure of the assessment.
Areas which will be covered will include the relevant MCA requirements, namely:
A number of learning outcomes will be covered within the kitchen practical assessment and in addition, some of the criteria will also be covered in the theory assessment. Full details of the criteria can be found in MCA MSN 1846 Annex 2.
The key food knowledge and preparation areas to be covered in both the theoretical written examination and the practical assessment will be the preparation and cookery of:
Revision and Preparation:
You should allow at least half a day to review the content for the theory assessment on Day 1.
Assessment:
The overall outcome of assessment by Leiths chef assessors will be determined as ‘Competent’ or ‘Not Competent’.
Theory Assessment:
This is a written examination which has a total of 45 questions: 40 multiple choice questions worth 1 mark each, and 5 written answers worth 4 marks each.
The required pass mark is 70%.
Practical Assessments:
The outcome of these assessments will be decided by teachers and assessors at Leiths and will be determined as either ‘Competent’ or ‘Not Competent’.
The Assessment in Marine Cookery is suitable for working chefs or food professionals that want to gain their Ship’s Cook Certificate to qualify them to chef out at sea on commercial vessels.
To be eligible to take this assessment, candidates must:
Leiths Education will provide successful candidates with a recognised Assessment Award to submit to the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA). Candidates must complete the Application for UK (MLC) Ship’s Cook Certificate of Competency (SCC) using application form MSF4395.
Please note that this Certificate of Competency will constitute part of the MCA certification and applicants will also need to comply with the additional requirements as outlined in MCA MSN 1846, Section 3, which can be found here.
To book, click ‘Enrol now’ at the top of the page and select your preferred date. To secure your place, you will need to pay the full cost of the assessment upon booking, complete our enrolment form. This form will be sent over to you by email along with further information after booking by our Admissions Team.
You will also be asked to supply our Admissions Team with a copy of your Passport, a CV and a covering letter.
Payments for professional courses must be made by either bank transfer, cheque or a debit/credit card payment. We do not accept American Express.
We are happy to make adjustments where possible.
Please read our full policy on allergies and dietary restrictions here.
Enrol on an assessment today and achieve one of the essential parts of your overall MCA certification, with dates throughout the year.
Setting the standard since 1975
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The Assessment in Marine Cookery is a three-day practical and theory assessment that evaluates your cooking skills, food safety knowledge and ability to work safely in a marine environment. It is one essential part of gaining your MCA Ships’ Cook Certificate.
This assessment is required for anyone working as a cook on commercial vessels carrying 10 or more crew. Chefs moving into yachting, offshore roles or marine hospitality also take this assessment to meet MCA regulations.
You must be at least 18 with professional cooking experience, basic English language skills and supporting documentation. To apply for your Ships’ Cook Certificate you’ll also need Level 2 Food Safety, STCW basic safety courses and a valid Medical Fitness Certificate.
Across three days you’ll complete practical cookery tasks, a short theory test and skills assessments that cover nutrition, menu planning, costings, hygiene and safe working practices.
It forms one essential part of the overall MCA requirements. When combined with your Food Safety, STCW and medical certifications, it enables you to apply for your Ships’ Cook Certificate.
Most candidates prepare by refreshing core cookery techniques, reviewing basic food safety principles and practising time-efficient cooking. A brief overview of exam expectations is sent ahead of your assessment date.
You are assessed on practical competence, organisation, hygiene, accuracy and the quality of your dishes. Results are reviewed and verified by qualified MCA-approved assessors.
Once you pass, you’ll receive documentation to submit to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency along with your other required certificates to gain your Ships’ Cook Certificate.
Assessment dates run throughout the year, allowing you to book a time that fits your schedule.
Yes. You can book your assessment online by selecting one of the upcoming course dates and securing your place..