The catering course offered by Services for Young People at Hudnall Park will give you hands on experience of working in a professional kitchen, learning many cooking skills and taking instruction from an experienced caterer. On completion of the course you will gain a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate.
The five-day, four-night residential course is for young people aged 16 to 24 and has been designed to fulfil the requirements for the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award Residential section. The courses are held during the school holidays.
What's included?
The content of the course will be adapted to the requirements of the young people attending, but will typically include these sessions and workshops:
- An introduction to catering
- Cooking skills - hands on practical sessions
- Working in the Hudnall Park kitchen to prepare meals for the group each day
- Business catering
In the evenings you will get together with the young people on the other residential courses for nighttime nature walks and stargazing, an evening around the campfire, and a film night with board games and quizzes.
The course will also help you to develop skills that will be useful in other areas of your life, such as:
- Problem solving
- Communication
- Working as a team
- Decision making
- Staying focused
- Time management
No prior experience of catering is necessary.
The 2026 dates, costs and information about Hudnall Park and your accommodation can be found on the DofE Gold Award residentials landing page.
Take the first step
Please complete this form to express your interest and someone from the SfYP DofE Team will get back to you.
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For further information, please email: DofE@hertfordshire.gov.uk with the subject heading Catering Residential Course 2026.
Hertfordshire County Council Services for Young People is a Duke of Edinburgh's Award Approved Activity Provider.
