Who needs the Ship’s Cook Certificate?
Bluewater took 5 minutes with Duncan and Mark from Ocean Wave Monaco to discuss the Ship’s Cook Certificate and assessment, and clear up any confusion!
All cooks/chefs who work on any vessel with more than 10 crew need the Ship’s Cook Certificate.
Chefs are now finally being recognized as a valued member of the crew!
It is now becoming the industry standard for chefs looking for work onboard yachts.
This is a good development in our industry for chefs, allowing them to prove their abilities in not just cooking onboard but managing a successful galley operation, from menu planning, financial budgeting and provisioning etc.
We need to be very clear at this point as this has caused much confusion in our industry, Ship’s Cook Certificate and the Ships Cook Assessment are two completely different entities.
The Ship’s Cook Certificate is what a chef will receive once they have fulfilled the requirements of government or Flag.
The Ship’s Cook Assessment is a way for candidates to be assessed objectively in a controlled environment.
Do I need to be an expert pastry chef to take this course?
The assessment covers the building blocks of baking; puff pastry, short crust /sweet pastry, choux pastry (profiteroles), basic styles of sponge baking and other basic skills.
The candidate will need to demonstrate the ability to prepare and cook a range of basic bakery & pastry dishes.
Without any assistance, each student will need to prepare and cook 4 different bakery and/or pastry dishes, for 2 persons.
Preparation / re-taking
How can I prepare?
Contact Ocean Wave Monaco who will be able to discuss with each candidate their current abilities and whether they need further training / experience before taking the Ship’s Cook Assessment.
If I fail any part of the course do I need to retake it?
If the candidate fails any part of the Ship’s Cook Assessment, we at Ocean Wave will ask the candidate to come back at a later date and retake that particular module without further expense to the candidate.
What is covered in the assessment?
Length of the assessment is covered over 2 days and divided into 3 phases:
Day one:
8:30 – 10:00 food safety level 3 examination
10:30 – 17:30 savoury practical assessment
Day two:
08:30 – 10:00 ships cook written examination
10:30 – 17:30 bakery & pastry practical assessment
Does the certificate expire?
Yes, just like STCW all CoC’s need to be renewed every 5years. Now, in the case of the Ship’s Cook Certificate, currently with CISR all that the candidates need to do is re-submit a valid ENG1, their current STCW certificates and proof of sea time.
There is no mandate for holders of the Ship’s Cook Certificate to re-attend the Ship’s Cook Assessment course (this is correct at the time of publishing, November 2020).
How to get a Ship’s Cook CoC
To be eligible to gain a Ship’s Cook Certificate of Competency by the assessment route, you need :
1. To be at least 18 years old
2. To complete the STCW basic safety training
3. To hold an ENG1 medical fitness certificate (or recognised equivalent)
4. To hold a recognised Food Safety Certificate. Following guidelines from MIN 605m
5. To have the following qualifications or experience (sea service testimonials are needed in all cases):
a. UK Level 2 cookery qualification (e.g. City and Guilds) and 1 month’s sea service as a cook OR
b. One year’s cooking experience in a shoreside kitchen plus 1 months sea service as a cook OR
c. One year’s sea service as a ships cook (on a private or smaller yacht) OR
d. Fishing Cook Certificate and at least 1 months sea service.
6. Pass the Ship’s Cook Assessment
7. Apply to Flag to receive a Ship’s Cook Certificate of Competency
On completion of the Ship’s Cook Assessment course, we at Ocean Wave Monaco, with the candidates, will complete all registration forms to ensure that all information is correct before submitting the application to CISR, and verify all requirements are met (including STCW, sea time, medical etc).
Where do I book!
Contact Duncan or Mark at Ocean Wave Monaco directly for the latest dates and details, the assessment takes place at the ITA training facilities in Antibes:
Email:
info@oceanwavemonaco.com
Website:
www.oceanwavemonaco.com
Upcoming dates with a few spots still available to book:
23rd /24th November
10th /11th December
17th / 18th December
