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Occupational Qualification · C66

Discretionary Grant · Upcoming

Cook

QCTO Aligned Audit-ReadyCATHSSETA
NQF Level
NQF Level 4
Credits
184
Duration
—
SAQA ID
102296
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Official QCTO Registry Profile

Source: SAQA / QCTO registry
SAQA ID
102296
Min Credits
184
Registered
2019-09-11
Re-registration
2025-12-30
Field
Field 11 - Services
Sub-field
Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure

Sample Asset Preview

Curriculum Alignment MatrixCRN ZA-SDP-2026-089
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 1
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 2
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 3
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 4
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 5
Page 1 of 5

Overview & Scope

Programme Profile

Target Designation
Certified Cook Practitioner
Competency Focus
Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Cook.
Academic Weight
Full national recognition at NQF Level 4 yielding 184 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Work Opportunities
Deployment across As a qualified cook, you can find employment opportunities in Tourism, Hospitality, Sport, Creative Arts including restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, catering companies, and institutional kitchens. Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under CATHSSETA scope.
Audit Objective
Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing CATHSSETA quality matrix.
Value Proposition
Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾

Designed as a Occupational Certificate at NQF Level 4 worth 184 credits, the Cook equips you with both theoretical understanding and hands-on capabilities. You will learn to perform complex tasks, solve real-world problems, and adapt to the demands of a dynamic work environment. This qualification is your stepping stone to becoming a confident, capable professional.

Purpose▾

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Cook. A Cook prepares, seasons and cooks food items in hotels, restaurants and catering (HORECA} establishments. A qualified learner will be able to: • Prepare for food production, associated areas, commodities, staff and cooking environment. • Communicate with and assist other kitchen personnel. • Prepare, cook and assemble specific food items using the correct method and techniques to meet customer and organisational requirements. • Assist kitchen and service staff to prepare and serve food. • Hygienically prepare and assemble food, and clean food preparation areas.

Entry Requirements▾

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: RPL for access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 1 qualification with Mathematics.

SAQA Rationale▾

This qualification has been developed for Cooks in the Hospitality and Catering industry. It brings together theoretical, practical and workplace elements of food preparation and service. It aims to improve the standards of services, growth and development of the industry as well as to provide possibilities of self­employment for potential food vendors. This qualification also provides for a direct pathway from entry as a Cook to qualifying as a Chef. It has two part qualifications that create a vertical pathway to cook, namely Kitchen Hand and Food Handler. A clear career pathway exists between Cook and Chef and once qualified as a Cook, provide the opportunity to study further for the Chef qualification, even at a later stage. Qualifying learners with sufficient working experience might also get promotion for further career advancement. The qualification is aimed at school leavers and those who have been working in the industry, without the required qualifications. This qualification will professionalise the industry and is applicable to all sectors of professional cookery experience it might also lead to promotion and further career advancement. This qualification will professionalise the industry and is applicable to all sectors of professional cookery.

Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: RPL for access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for Access to the Qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 1 qualification with Mathematics.

Exit Level Outcomes▾
  • Prepare for food production, associated areas, commodities, staff and cooking environment.
  • Communicate with and assist other kitchen personnel.
  • Prepare, cook and assemble specific food items using the correct method and techniques to meet customer and organisational requirements.
  • Assist kitchen and service staff to prepare and serve food, and clean service areas.
  • Hygienically prepare and assemble food, and clean food preparation areas.

Learning Material Included

  • Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
  • Facilitator Guide
  • Workplace Logbook
  • Formative and Summative Assessment
  • Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
  • SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
  • Administrative & Onboarding Pack
  • Implementation Plan

Moderator-Ready Curriculum Breakdown

24 modules · 168 credits

Theory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-013 cr

    Personal Hygiene and Safety

    NQF Level 3

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-025 cr

    Food Safety and Quality Assurance

    NQF Level 4

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-035 cr

    Workplace Safety

    NQF Level 4

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-043 cr

    Numeracy, Units of Measure and Computer literacy

    NQF Level 3

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-052 cr

    Environmental Awareness

    NQF Level 3

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-064 cr

    Introduction to Nutrition and Diets

    NQF Level 4

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-074 cr

    Basic Ingredients

    NQF Level 3

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-085 cr

    Theory of Food production

    NQF Level 5

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-092 cr

    Introduction to the Kitchen, and the Hospitality and Catering Industry

    NQF Level 2

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-102 cr

    Theory of Commodity Resource Management

    NQF Level 4

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-114 cr

    Food Preparation Methods

    NQF Level 2

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-124 cr

    Food Preparation Techniques

    NQF Level 3

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-1310 cr

    Food Cooking Methods and Techniques

    NQF Level 3

  • 512101-000-00-00-KM-144 cr

    Personal Development as a Cook

    NQF Level 2

Sub-total credits57
QCTO & CATHSSETA AlignedSAQA 102296

Qualification 102296 · Curriculum Architecture

Occupational Certificate: Cook · NQF Level 4 (184 Credits)

Filter View
§ 01

Three Curriculum Pillars

57
Credits

Knowledge Modules

Classroom & E-Learning

KM-01 to KM-14 · 14 modules
  • Facilitated lectures & self-study
  • Written question banks
  • Formative comprehension checks
32
Credits

Practical Skill Modules

Simulated Line Tasks

PM-01 to PM-05 · 5 modules
  • Simulated line tasks
  • Observation rubrics
  • Structured task sheets
79
Credits

Work Experience Modules

On-the-Job Production

WM-01 to WM-05 · 5 modules
  • On-the-job rotation
  • Mentor logbooks
  • Workplace sign-offs
§ 02

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)
Owner · Candidate
▾
1
Admin & Registration

ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.

2
Knowledge Evidence

Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.

3
Practical Evidence

Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.

4
Workplace Evidence

Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.

Assessor Master File
Owner · Registered Assessor
▾
5
Assessment Reports

Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.

Internal Moderation & Quality File
Owner · Moderator / SDP
▾
6
Moderation Evidence

10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.

§ 03

Final Accreditation Gateway

Step 1
Statement of Results

Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.

Step 2
EISA Readiness Declaration

Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).

Step 3
National Qualification Certificate

QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.

Learner Certified · Uploaded to National Learner Records Database (NLRD)

Audit & Compliance

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.

  1. Step 1

    PoE Assembly

    Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.

  2. Step 2

    Internal Assessment

    Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.

  3. Step 3

    Internal Moderation

    Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.

  4. Step 4

    External Moderation

    SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.

Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard

The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.

Broken Standard

i2Graduates Standard

Curriculum Mapping

Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes

14 KM + 5 PM + 5 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 4

Assessment Bank

Missing formative and summative assessments

Pre-validated assessment bank per module

Alignment Evidence

No alignment matrix — audit fails

CATHSSETA alignment matrix included

Facilitation

Facilitators improvise Cook delivery

Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit

Portfolio of Evidence

PoE gaps flagged in moderation

PoE templates that survive external moderation

View on SAQA

Pricing & Delivery Tiers

Base licence from R59 200

Digital Master Suite

Editable master files, licensed to your SDP

  • Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
  • Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
  • Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
  • Free minor corrections for 12 months
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Most selected

Turnkey Print & Bound Package

Printed, bound and couriered per learner

  • Everything in the Digital Master Suite
  • Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
  • Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
  • Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
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Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle

Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end

  • Everything in the Print & Bound Package
  • Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
  • Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
  • Brand & metadata integration across the suite
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Complementary Services

Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.

Bespoke QMS Build

We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.

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Moderation Consultation

External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.

Book Moderation Session

The i2Graduates Quality Guarantee

Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.