Restaurant Cook, Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services
Full-time Day Studies and Work-based Study Programme
VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF RESTAURANT AND CATERING SERVICES
COMPETENCE AREA: FOOD SERVICES
Full-time Day Study Programme
Turn your passion for cooking into a career. At Perho Culinary, Tourism and Business College, you’ll gain the practical skills and hands-on experience needed to work as a restaurant cook. You can study through a work-based learning pathway or complete the full-time day programme.
When you graduate, you’ll be ready to work in a variety of settings within the hospitality industry — from hotels and cruise ships to restaurants of all styles, cafés and catering companies, tourism businesses, or institutional kitchens.
As a restaurant cook, you’ll learn how to prepare delicious, nutritious meals while taking special diets into account. You’ll also develop the skills to serve food for both individual guests and large groups, ensuring every dining experience is memorable.
To Whom
You can apply if you have completed upper secondary level education and you do not have a vocational qualification, degree, or a study place. We prioritize applicants who have already settled in Finland.
Applying Period
The next application period for training is August 24th-September 20th, 2026.
You can apply for a study place during the application period via the link given on the website.
Restaurant Cook full-day time application form will open on 24th August 2026
Duration
In the full-time day study program you can start from the scratch and become a qualified restaurant cook. Studies lasts 1,5–2 years on average.
Tuition
Starting 1 August 2026, tuition fees may be charged to students from countries outside the EU/EEA. The obligation to pay the tuition fee is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the applicant’s residence permit status and factors related to compulsory education. If necessary, the assessment may be made in consultation with the Finnish immigration authorities (www.migri.fi)
The studies are free of charge for EU/EAA citizens. Annual tuition fee for non-EU/EAA citizens is 9 900 euros.
Professional uniforms, knives and study material cost about 500 euros.
Interview
We will invite selected applicants for an interview based on their application and supporting documents including educational certificates and CV. In the interview, we pay attention to your career plan, motivation, and preconditions in studying for the vocational qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services.
Interviews will be held from Tuesday to Thursday, 29.9. – 1.10.2026. Invitations to the interview will be sent via email.
Start of studies
Students selected for the program will begin their studies with an orientation day in December 2026. The exact date will be announced later. Contact lessons begin in January 2027.
Studying in the Full-time Day Study Programme
In the full-time day study programme, you can start from scratch and become a qualified restaurant cook. Your studies include training periods in Perho Culinary, Tourism & Business College’s teaching restaurant Perho and in various restaurants in Helsinki metropolitan area or abroad.
Campus: Töölö, Perhonkatu 11, FI-00100 Helsinki
The Work-based Study Programme, Apply 24 x 7
In the work-based study programme you will learn by working and become a professional restaurant cook. You come to school monthly for two days and study also online. Studies lasts 1–1,5 years on average on Töölö Campus.
Applying
Application has ended. We will announce on our website when the training will be available for re-application in the fall.
Basicly you can apply a study place throughout the year. We will contact you by email within two weeks of receiving your application.
To Whom
You can apply if you have at least one year experience of working in the kitchen, and your current employer is willing to sign an apprenticeship (paid one) or a training agreement (not paid). In addition, you should live in Finland, and have sufficient level of English language skills.
Duration
Your individual studies can begin throughout the year. The study time is also individual depending on your work experience background. Studies last 1–1,5 years on average. You can graduate individually at the end of each month except July.
Tuition
Tuition fee will not be charged for those starting their studies in May 2026.
Starting 1 August 2026, tuition fees may be charged to students from countries outside the EU/EEA. The obligation to pay the tuition fee is determined on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the applicant’s residence permit status and factors related to compulsory education. If necessary, the assessment may be made in consultation with the Finnish immigration authorities (www.migri.fi)
Students must have their own professional uniforms and shoes.
Interview
We will invite selected applicants for an interview based on their application and supporting documents, including educational certificates, a motivation letter and your current work contract. In the interview, we pay attention to your career plan, motivation, and preconditions in studying the vocational qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services.
Studying Mainly by Working
In the work-based study programme you will mainly learn by working in restaurants by an apprenticeship contract or a training agreement with your employer.
You come to school on average twice a month at Töölö Campus, Perhonkatu 11, Helsinki.
Your contact studies include kitchen classes and some service. You will also study theoretical subjects related to the profession; most of the theory studies can be done independently at iPerho, our digital learning environment. There are about 20 students in your multicultural study group.
Why choose Perho?
In the Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services, you will gain versatile skills in food preparation, serving, sales, and customer service. After graduation, you can work in a wide variety of roles within the restaurant industry – in restaurants, hotels, staff canteens, student and lunch restaurants, on ships, in cafés, as well as in event catering and tourism companies.
The field also offers international opportunities. If you wish, you can work abroad or start your own restaurant. Perho equips you with the skills to build a career path that suits you.
More information
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Jenni Heikkilä
Study Coordinator +358 40 774 7622 jenni.heikkila@perho.fi