This is a three-day course and the price covers all three days at the cookery school.
Class times
10:00 – 16:00
If you have an allergy/intolerance please get in touch with us before booking this class by emailing cookery@vegsoc.org.
— This course is adaptable for vegans; just let us know when booking —
Would you like to book more than one place on this class? Discounts are available for multiple bookings. Please email cookery@vegsoc.org to discuss.
Build your confidence in vegetarian and vegan cookery and learn how to create incredible restaurant standard dishes with our Professional Chefs’ Diploma.
The growing trend of meat reduction and flexitarianism has led to a rise in people seeking out plant-based dishes in restaurants. It makes great business sense to keep all your customers happy and this hands-on, practical class will give you the knowledge and skills to create amazing vegetarian and vegan options, giving you an edge over your competitors.
This course is taught by our expert team of tutors, including Sam Platt (the head of our cookery school, who has over 15 years’ experience in professional catering and hospitality) and will cover everything from recipe creation to menu planning to current trends.
Plus, the learning doesn’t end when you complete the course – you will receive digital copies of recipes and all other course information. You will also have an exclusive, individual one-hour follow-up progress support meeting with Sam within 12 months, via Zoom or in person.
Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate – this can be included on your CV, menu and advertising, allowing you to showcase your experience in all things veggie and vegan.
Who is this class for?
- Chefs who want to enhance their veggie and vegan offerings
- Budding chefs and chefs in training
- Entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own business, such as a café or a street food stall
Learning outcomes
These are some of the learning outcomes that will be included in the course. If you would like the full list, please contact cookery@vegsoc.org.
Practical Cookery: Prepare, cook and present a variety of vegetarian and vegan starters, main courses accompaniments, and side dishes to a restaurant standard. Think creatively about vegetarian and vegan dishes and how to make them saleable.
Recipe creation: Understand how to adapt meat-based recipes to create high-quality vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Menu planning: Plan and structure a full and balanced vegetarian and vegan menu. Understand how to make vegetarian and vegan food appealing to flexitarians and omnivores. Learn how to use available ingredients across multiple dishes to reduce waste.
Current trends: Gain knowledge of current food trends, learn to predict upcoming food trends, and be able to prepare, cook and present a variety of on trend dishes to a restaurant standard.
Other areas which will be covered extensively include: vegetarian and vegan definitions and attitudes, vegetarian and vegan ingredients, building flavour, meat and dairy alternatives, nutrition and commercial kitchens.
What to expect
- This course is taught through a mixture of practical hands-on cooking, recipe creation, kitchen lectures and demos and discussions led by our team of expert tutors. This will include working in pairs, groups and individually.
- This class includes learning 5–6 recipes per day, which will be used to illustrate and teach your learning outcomes.
- Attendee numbers are kept small so you’ll have maximum contact with your tutors and you will receive ongoing feedback throughout the course. There will be plenty of opportunities throughout the course to ask any questions you may have and take advantage of our tutors’ years of experience in all things veggie and vegan!
- The course includes lunch and refreshments every day and lots of food at the end of the day. The fee includes all tuition, use of equipment and all ingredients.
Getting here
We have lots of free car parking available on site. If you’re getting here by public transport, we’re only a short taxi ride or a 20-minute walk from Altrincham’s bus, train and Metrolink (Altrincham line) services. Here’s our address: Vegetarian Society Cookery School, Parkdale, Altrincham, Greater Manchester, WA14 4QG.
If you have any questions about this course please email cookery@vegsoc.org. Get in touch with cookery@vegsoc.org for full details for the course or to discuss your place further.
- The Vegetarian Society Cookery School is an Independent Cookery School Association accredited cookery school. ICSA is the only independent, not-for-profit, regulatory body for cookery schools in the UK and promotes excellence in cookery skills and training.
- You can pay a 10% deposit to secure your course and pay the remainder in instalments. The full amount must be paid a minimum of two weeks before the course start date. If you have any questions or would like more information about payments, email cookery@vegsoc.org or give us a call on 0161 925 2000.
Harry –
Very interesting knowledge on vegan \vegetarian food
Ian –
It really does exceed expectations. Right mix of theory, business info and practical cooking
Rheanna –
Excellent course would definitely recommend especially for someone going into the catering industry as many colleges don’t specialize in vegetarian cooking. I have learned a lot of cooking methods and experienced new flavours and tried lots of different and new dishes i am very great full for such a wonderful experience
Sophie –
I learnt lots, and the course will really help me in my future career
Steve –
This course gives knowledge without undermining your own ability. Delivered calmly and easily understood.
Michael D –
I would definitely recommend it, a valuable experience. Excellent staff and excellent facilities to give you all the support you need.
Jane S –
I have loved cooking and food prep for 55+ years and this course fired me up to make meals I have tended to ignore. Your hospitality made me feel included and changed my cooker skills- the team at the cookery school are great people!
James –
Very engaging and fun. I gained a lot of skills, knowledge and confidence.
Darshana –
100% recommend this course to those in love with cooking. I had the best schooling days of my life in this cookery school!
Na Young S –
I learn many ways of cooking style from starter to dessert – and learn more professional vegetarian and vegan cooking. Highly recommend, great experience.
Matt M –
Endless ideas and new techniques. More than met my expectations of improving veggie options at work.
Marlie P –
Looking to extend myself to vegetarian/cooked options from raw vegan. I can include more cooked options and i feel more confident about using new ingredients, spices, etc. Better than expected. I was able to learn more in a relaxed setting, with a small group of chefs and a considerable personal instruction from head tutor.
Hubert H –
Join. It’s good fun, informal, but very informative. It’s a good training with many different recipes and different cuisines.
Murray S –
Get here and be open to ideas. You will have fun and learn loads. It’s a very small and interactive learning course, very positive. A very in depth look at vegetarian cooking with accents on vegan and dietary restrictions. Informative 2 way flow of ideas with tutor and participants.
Fiona R –
The week flew by and I had a great time. It was a revelation and our tutor Alex was the best.
F Carter –
It really pushed me and I feel such a sense of achievement. The amount of food I have cooked is incredible and the range of recipes is amazing. I chose this course as I am looking to change my career and wanted the experience to see if it was feasible. It blew my expectations out the water! I loved it