Course Overview
Join us for a hands-on introduction to fish preparation and cookery at Taunton College, where you’ll develop essential skills in selecting, preparing, and cooking fresh fish with confidence.
Throughout the day, you’ll learn how to prepare a whole plaice using a zero-waste approach, making the most of every part of the fish while gaining an understanding of sustainable kitchen practices. You’ll then cook your prepared plaice and serve it with a selection of delicious seasonal accompaniments.
For lunch, you’ll prepare and cook the classic French dish Moules Marinière, learning the key techniques for cleaning, cooking, and flavouring fresh mussels to create this timeless seafood favourite.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to build your confidence with seafood, this practical course offers expert guidance, professional techniques, and plenty of opportunities to develop your culinary skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Topics may include:
- Prepare and fillet a whole plaice using sustainable, zero-waste techniques
- Understand the principles of selecting and handling fresh fish and shellfish safely
- Cook fish accurately while preserving flavour and texture
- Prepare seasonal side dishes to complement seafood
- Clean, prepare, and cook traditional Moules Marinière
- Learn professional techniques and receive expert guidance throughout the day from an experienced professional chef.
Assessment Methods
There are no formal assessments for this course, however, you will receive full instruction on how to create all of the products and a little recipe book to take home so you can carry on perfecting your techniques.
Progression Options
UCS College Group and Taunton College offer a range of adult learning courses at The Quantock Restaurant. You could progress to Knead to Know Bread, Midweek Meals for Busy Lives, Street Eats, or BBQ Bonanza and Summer Salads.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply directly on any of the UCS College Group websites, whether you wish to study at Bridgwater College, Cannington College, Strode College, or Taunton College. Simply use our “Find a Course” feature and follow the on-screen instructions – be sure to have your important information to hand.
We aim to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip all our students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively, and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.
The Student Experience Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Student Experience Team works closely with the Safeguarding & Lifestyle Teams to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
We provide top-quality workshops and teaching areas across our Colleges for subjects such as art, design and media, hair and beauty, catering, automotive engineering and construction. You can review our campus facilities by navigating to the “College Life” section of our websites.
For us, the success of our students always comes first. By investing in our built environment, we are investing in your future.
All of our students will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the UCS College Group Advantage scheme.
The Safeguarding Team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person and their studies – no problem is too big or too small!
Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the College Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQ section, you can ask us a question by visiting our Contact Us page.
