Course Overview
If you enjoy cooking and want a career doing something you love, this practical cooking course is a great place to start. You’ll learn everything you need to work in a commercial kitchen from basic cooking skills to food safety and teamwork.
In terms of cooking, you'll learn how to prepare a range of dishes suitable for cafés, restaurants, bakeries and more. Graduate and continue on to study Culinary Arts (Level 4), or choose the Certificate in Food and Beverage (Level 3) to gain all-round hospitality skills.
Upon successfully completing the requirements you'll receive the award of:
- New Zealand Certificate in Cookery (Level 3)
| Locations | Rotorua |
|---|---|
| Next intake | Jul 2025 View more details |
| Study options |
18 weeks full-time, including holidays (if applicable) |
| Total credits | 60 |
| StudyLink assistance | Available |
| Indicative Fees | To be confirmed for domestic students View full fees information |
| Eligibility | View entry criteria |
To see the information for international students change your location using the button at the top right of the screen.
Career opportunities
There are a wide range of job opportunities, depending on the size of each commercial kitchen and the type of food being offered.
You can work as a junior chef producing basic dishes in a professional kitchen.
Topics you'll cover
You'll learn to:
- prepare, cook and present a range of dishes using equipment, products and produce commonly used in the New Zealand hospitality industry, and
- follow standard operating procedures, deal with common problems in a commercial kitchen, and effectively communicate with colleagues, managers and customers.
Topics include health and safety regulations, food safety requirements and security practices to help ensure personal safety and minimise potential hazards for customers.
Institutes of technology have a long standing tradition of producing work ready, top quality chefs - this is the place employers come to fill their kitchen vacancies.
Course Fees
| Indicative Fees * | To be confirmed for domestic students |
|---|---|
| Course related costs | Domestic students: During your induction week, you'll have the opportunity to purchase your uniform and kit from our preferred supplier. You can expect to spend approximately $450 on course-specific equipment and uniforms. This can be covered by the 'Course-Related Costs' component of your student loan if applicable. Please contact StudyLink for more information. |
Please note, fees for our 2025 intakes are yet to be confirmed. Once they are, we will update our website to reflect the new 2025 fee amount.
Your final fee may vary if:
- you have a choice of topics/papers to study
- the qualification excludes GST
- there are extra course materials to purchase
- student levies apply
We’ll let you know if any of these apply to you.
* Important fee information, and hints and tips
Help with fees
Are you Eligible for Free Fees?
There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.
Student Loans and Allowances
This course meets the requirements for student allowance and student loan applications through StudyLink.
- A student loan helps to pay for your course fees (the compulsory fees), study materials e.g. books, equipment, and living costs. You'll have to pay this money back.
- A student allowance is a weekly payment that can help with your living expenses while you're studying. You don't have to pay the money back.
Find out more and apply at studylink.govt.nz
Scholarships
Scholarships are one way you might be able to get some financial help. Any scholarships specifically related to this course are shown below, otherwise check out the full list of scholarships promoted by Toi Ohomai.
Course Entry Information
Entry criteria
Information Session
You’ll be invited to an information meeting. This is your opportunity to find out more about the course content and to make sure you're on the most appropriate course for your career aspirations and current level of experience.
For courses at levels 1-3, domestic and international students will be required to:
Provide evidence of ability to complete academic requirements.
Other Considerations
For reasons of health and safety and in line with hospitality industry expectations and requirements, you should be physically fit - this includes bending and lifting and being able to withstand long hours in a commercial kitchen environment.
English language requirements
Level 3 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined by NZQA.
Return to course overview
Course Locations and Intake Information
| Location | Campus | Start Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotorua | Mokoia Campus | 14 Jul 2025 |
Study options
- 18 weeks full-time, including holidays (if applicable)
