OSTC Cookery (Level 3)
Food & Beverage
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
A practical, hands-on Level 3 course for secondary school students interested in a career in cookery, held at Otago Secondary Tertiary College (OSTC), Otago Polytechnic.
In-person study
Face-to-face learning in a physical classroom setting
Otago Polytechnic Dunedin Campus, Dunedin
Core skills this course teaches
Cook a range of industry-standard dishes
Prepare, cook, and present meat, vegetable, fish, egg, rice, pasta, pastry, and dessert dishes commonly required in commercial kitchens.
Demonstrate kitchen health, safety, and food safety practices
Apply relevant health, safety, and food safety standards in a food-related business environment.
Communicate effectively in a hospitality context
Demonstrate effective customer service and communication skills relevant to food service roles.
What You're Signing Up For
OSTC Cookery (Level 3) is designed for secondary school students seeking to gain real-world cookery skills in a commercial kitchen environment. The programme offers hands-on training in food preparation, presentation, and service, with a focus on industry standards in health, safety, and customer communication. Delivered on campus in Dunedin, this qualification sets students on pathways to further culinary study or entry-level positions in the hospitality sector. Funding is available for most students through OSTC, subject to limited places.
Course Content
- Working in a commercial kitchen
- Preparation, cooking, and presentation of industry-standard dishes
- Health and safety requirements in the kitchen
- Customer service and communication techniques
- Unit standards in basic meat, vegetable, fish, egg, rice, pasta, and pastry dishes
- Production of hot and cold dessert items
- Application of food safety practices in a food-related business
- Application of standard operating procedures and code of conduct
- Service delivery operations and staff/customer interactions
What you need to know first
Students must be currently enrolled at secondary school.
Applications must be submitted via a school careers advisor.
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Hospitality
Food & Beverage
Future employment opportunities might be
Commis chef
Demi chef
Chef de partie
Chef
Caterer
Restaurateur
Food media professional
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.