Anyone who handles food at work has to be supervised and trained in food hygiene to a level that suits their job. We help cafés, pubs, restaurants, caterers, nurseries, schools and care settings across Milton Keynes and the surrounding counties do that, with online Level 1, 2 and 3 courses staff can start straight away, or training delivered on site for your whole team.
See our prices for on-site group training. No VAT, and travel included within 60 miles.
The law doesn’t ask for a particular certificate, but a recognised food hygiene qualification is the simplest way to show an inspector your staff have been trained properly. It’s also one of the things that counts towards a good food hygiene rating.
Which level do your staff need?
- Level 1: Food Hygiene. For staff in low-risk roles who handle wrapped or low-risk food, or work around food: front-of-house, bar staff, kitchen porters and pot wash.
- Level 2: Food Safety. For anyone who prepares, cooks or handles open food. This is the course most kitchen staff, chefs, caterers and childcare cooks need.
- Level 3: Food Safety and Hygiene Supervision. For managers, supervisors and head chefs who are responsible for food safety in the business and for training and checking others.
Not sure? Tell us what each person does and we’ll point you to the right level.
Online food hygiene courses
Online is the quickest and cheapest way to train new starters, temporary staff or just one or two people. Staff can do the course on a phone, tablet or computer at a time that suits them, and get their certificate as soon as they pass.
- Food Hygiene Level 1 (VTQ)
- Food Safety Level 2 (VTQ)
- Food Safety and Hygiene Supervision Level 3 (VTQ)
The online courses are provided through ProTrainings, who handle the booking and payment. View the online food hygiene courses and prices.
Food hygiene training at your premises
If you’ve got a team to train, or you want to go through your own kitchen’s routines together, we can come to you. Training on site means everyone hears the same thing at the same time, can ask questions about how your kitchen actually works, and you end up with one clear record of who’s been trained.
It works well before a busy period, when you’re opening a new site, or after an inspection has flagged training as something to improve. For group bookings, just get in touch with your numbers and dates and we’ll come back to you with a quote.
Plenty of businesses use both: a session on site for the core team, and the online courses for anyone who joins during the year.
What the training covers
- Why food safety matters, and the law that applies to food businesses
- Bacteria, food poisoning and how contamination happens
- Personal hygiene, hand washing and when staff must report illness
- Preventing cross-contamination between raw and ready-to-eat food
- Safe temperatures for cooking, cooling, chilling and reheating
- Cleaning and disinfection
- Pest control and safe storage
- Allergens: the 14 major allergens and how to answer customers’ questions safely
Frequently asked questions
Do food handlers legally need a certificate?
Not a specific certificate. The law says food handlers must be supervised and instructed or trained in food hygiene in a way that suits their work. A recognised Level 1, 2 or 3 qualification is the usual way to show you’ve done that.
How long does a food hygiene certificate last?
The certificate itself doesn’t expire, but most businesses and inspectors expect staff to refresh their training every three years, or sooner if their role or the rules change.
Is online food hygiene training accepted?
Yes. Online courses lead to the same recognised qualifications, and they’re widely used across the hospitality and care sectors.
Can you train our whole team on site?
Yes. We deliver food hygiene training at your premises across Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. Get in touch with your numbers and we’ll arrange a date.
Do you cover allergen awareness?
Yes, allergens are part of every food hygiene course. For schools, we also run Benedict’s Law allergy awareness training, which covers recognising and responding to severe allergic reactions.
Get your team trained
For one or two staff, start an online course today. For a whole team, get in touch and we’ll arrange training at your premises.