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Level 1 Essentials of Catering Award
- This qualification is applicable to candidates within England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
What is the BIIAB Level 1 Essentials in Catering Award (ECA)?
Who is the BIIAB ECA for?What does the qualification cover?
How long is the training course, where can I take it and how much will it cost?
Why should you choose the BIIAB ECA?
What other qualifications and awards are available from BIIAB ?
"After reading in BIIBUSINESS about one of BIIAB's newer qualifications, the Level 1 Essential Catering Award, [we] have encouraged five staff members to take the qualification. [They] enjoyed the ECA course, they're more productive because unlike the basic food hygiene qualification, the BIIAB course told them why things have to be done a certain way. It makes sense to them and they retain the knowledge and are keen to put it into practice the very next day."
Rose Cunningham CMBII & Steve Beasley FBII, Famous Woolpack, Weston Super Mere.
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What is the BIIAB Level 1 Essentials in Catering Award (ECA)?
The BIIAB ECA provides information and practical advice about the fundamental activities, processes and procedures needed by anyone new to working in a commercial kitchen environment. The Award covers nine key subject areas including:
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personal hygiene and work clothing
- basic knife skills
- storage methods and temperature recording of foods
- food preparation
- sandwich making
- food presentation
- waste disposal methods
- the use and cleaning of machinery and equipment
- cleaning of workstations, walls and floors.
It has been designed to complement other induction and essential training, such as health and safety, food hygiene, and HACCP .
Who is the BIIAB ECA for?
The Award is designed for anyone who is new to working in a commercial kitchen environment, including:
- pubs
- restaurants
- cafés
- coffee shops
- fast-food/sandwich bars
- wine bars
- bed and breakfast establishments
- small hotels
- and any other location where food is prepared and served.
What does the qualification cover?
The BIIAB ECA covers the basic essentials required for working in a commercial kitchen, including hygiene factors, health and safety, basic knife skills and operating and cleaning kitchen machinery.
How long is the training course, where can I take it and how much will it cost?
There are two ways that candidates can achieve the Award:
- The candidate can learn in their workplace with the guidance and support of their line manager or other suitable and responsible person.
The time taken to study for the Award is completely flexible and can take as little as a few days or a few weeks depending on the experience and ability of the candidate.
The supporting workbook and ‘Diary of Competence’ is just £15, with registration, examination, and certification also costing just £15. - The candidate can attend a course delivered by a BIIAB approved centre. Courses will be regularly held throughout the UK, and the cost of the course is set by each BIIAB approved centre.
To find your nearest BIIAB approved centre or contact the BIIAB QA department on 01276 684449.
Why should you choose the BIIAB ECA?
- With over 26 years of experience, BIIAB is the market leader in developing and awarding qualifications for the licensed retail sector
- over 1 million BIIAB qualifications have been taken so far
- BIIAB has over 600 approved centres offering training, operating in 6000 locations across the UK
- BIIAB is the wholly-owned awarding body of BII , the professional body for the licensed retail sector, which has the fastest growing professional membership of over 17,000.
"BIIAB ’s greatest strength is that, unlike our competitors, it is not simply an Awarding Body. BIIAB is part of BII , the thriving professional membership body for the Licensed Retail Sector. We are uniquely placed to provide a one-stop-shop for the industry - from a full portfolio of qualifications to support professionals through every stage of their career, to the additional support, status and benefits that BII membership offers.
We’re passionate about what we do and can guarantee that you’ll get the best service possible. Why go anywhere else?"
Cathie Smith, Director of BIIAB
What other qualifications and awards are available from BIIAB ?
BIIAB is the dedicated awarding body for the licensed retail sector. BIIAB specialises in developing and awarding qualifications to support the licensed retail sector at all levels. BIIAB ’s career path for licensed retailers ensures that training and qualifications are relevant for all job roles in the industry, from bar and retail staff through to advanced business managers.
The BIIAB portfolio includes qualifications for:
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staff development
-
licensing
-
new licensed retail managers
-
management development.
For more information about any of the BIIAB qualifications, or BIIAB approved centres which offer them, please contact the Quality Assurance Department on 01276 684449, or email qa@bii.org
For more information about BII membership, please contact Membership Services on 01276 684449, or email membership@bii.org