A barbecue is inextricably linked with summer holidays. Well-prepared dishes can elevate many a family gathering, sweeten a drizzly July afternoon, or brighten up a staycation. But did you know that you can barbecue professionally and earn a living from it?
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A qualification for barbecue enthusiasts
Barbecuing is becoming increasingly popular amongst Poles. Data from Statistics Poland (GUS) show that the production of sausages, beverages, and barbecue condiments begins to rise as early as March. This is no passing trend; it has become a way of life for making the most of warmer days with friends and family.
Fancy doing something different this season? Not just grilling for loved ones, but cooking delicious food for paying customers? Or perhaps you are looking for seasonal work this summer and beyond? If so, getting qualified is the perfect place to start.
In the Integrated Qualifications Register (IQR), you will find the qualification “Preparation of barbecue dishes“. It is recommended for:
- graduates of schools offering programmes in tourism, catering, or the hospitality sector,
- university and college students specialising in tourism, nutrition, or food processing,
- individuals running a business in tourism, catering, or hospitality,
- anyone who already possesses the relevant skills but lacks formal certification.
Prove what you can do: earn the qualification and start making money by serving customers impeccably prepared food.
How to obtain a certificate
As this is a market qualification, you do not need to have completed formal schooling or university to achieve it. You can simply undergo validation, which officially confirms your existing knowledge and practical skills. The accredited institutions that conduct this assessment are listed in the qualification profile, which also sets out precisely what you need to know and be able to do. The assessment will examine, amongst other things:
- your knowledge of ingredients and how to prepare them,
- how you select ingredients, seasonings, and accompaniments,
- whether you know the occupational health and safety rules for the workstation,
- how you manage customer orders.
Holding this qualification provides employers with tangible proof of your competence, ensuring they know exactly what you can do and what standard of work to expect.
For those who need training
If you do not yet meet the required standards or simply wish to brush up on your skills, a training course is an excellent route. Whilst a wide variety of courses are available on the market, it is well worth exploring those listed in the Development Services Database (BUR).
This platform, run by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development (PARP), offers courses that will not only prepare you for the profession, but also conclude with an examination and formal qualification. Crucially, they are co-financed, meaning you do not have to pay the full fee yourself.
The following training courses are linked to the “Preparation of barbecue dishes” qualification:
- “Preparation of barbecue dishes: Course and examination“, or
- “Preparation of barbecue dishes: Training with examination“.
These are not your only options. You can find a comprehensive list of co-financed courses in the qualification profile under “How and where to obtain the qualification?”, or directly on the BUR website.
Development? Of course, check the Register
If catering captures your interest but you do not want to limit yourself to barbecuing, you can gain further qualifications and branch out into other areas of the industry. To explore your options, browse the Register, where you will find complementary qualifications such as: