ROYAL ACADEMY OF CULINARY ARTS APPRENTICESHIP
Level 3
95% of our students successfully complete the RACA programme and many apprentices go on to become future leaders in fine dining kitchens
Our apprentice alumni have represented the UK in the Bocuse d’Or (World Cup of Cooking), worked on the Antarctic Mission in the South Pole and have appeared on MasterChef: The Professionals
The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RACA) Chefs’ Apprenticeship Scheme equips students with a wide range of in-depth skills underpinned by sound theoretical knowledge. It aims to provide employers with the best-trained chef apprentices in the industry. An equally important part of the scheme is the pastoral care given to apprentices. Each of our training delivery partners must appoint a tutor, whose main role is to fully support the apprentices throughout their training in both their work and personal lives.
Apprentices on this programme will train one day a week during term-time, covering classical and modern interpretations of dishes, techniques and presentation in our world-class kitchen facilities at our Summer Row campus, in addition to theory sessions and 1-1 tutorials.
The RACA is widely recognised as the premier chefs’ association in the UK, is well respected by industry and professional bodies, and, most importantly, is synonymous with excellence in training. Excellence is sought in all aspects of the RACA Chefs’ Apprenticeship Scheme - the apprentices, the lecturers, the training delivery partners, the employers and the course content.
Our industry standard kitchens provide a real-time working environment for students on our food courses to develop their skills
The kitchens are also used regularly for prestigious competitions, including Michel Roux Jr’s annual scholarship contest
Open to the public, our award-winning restaurant on campus – Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food – will arm you with hands-on skills, from serving fast food to silver service
Designed with the help of the food industry, our Food Science and Innovation Suite features the latest food testing and diagnostic technology alongside state-of-the-art development kitchen facilities
Career opportunities
Note: Some roles below may require further study/training. The roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Food technologist
Average Salary: £35,000
Chef
Average salary: £20,000 - £30,000
Nutritionist
Average Salary: £42,500
Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing this apprenticeship will enable you to progress onto our BA (Hons) Culinary Arts Management degree
Patrick's Story
Patrick White learned his craft on the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Scheme and honed his culinary skills further by working in a traditional Italian restaurant and Harborne Kitchen. Six years later, he applied for his dream job with the British Antarctic Survey. Read more about his apprenticeship journey.
Our students
Amrita Phull
Amrita planned to go into engineering, but after a change of heart is working in a dream role as a chef for the GB McLaren Formula 1 team.
Read more
Maisy Wilby
Maisy has had an incredible career since her RACA chef apprenticeship – including working with a MasterChef: The Professionals champion.
Read more
Samuel Bull
For Samuel, securing the prestigious RACA Apprenticeship is the culmination of years of hard work.
Read more
Awards
University College Birmingham took home the top prize of Hospitality and Catering Provider of the Year at the nationally-recognised AAC Apprenticeship Awards.
University College Birmingham has almost 700 apprentices in a variety of different sectors and disciplines across the whole of the UK, and continues to champion the role apprenticeships can play in tackling the skills gap both in the region and beyond.
