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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Cook (Koch/Köchin)

Koch / Köchin

You prepare meals, coordinate the work in the kitchen and follow hygiene rules: a 3-year training, paid from the first year, in a restaurant, hotel or catering kitchen.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2
LevelBaccalaureaterequired
Duration3 years36 months
GermanB2required level
Pay during training€1,120 to €1,346gross / month, during the training
The occupation in 30 seconds

What a cook does

They draw up menus, buy and store ingredients, cook and plate dishes, then coordinate the work so that every dish is ready on time. They also calculate prices and advise guests.

Cook

Prepare meat, fish, vegetables, sauces, soups and desserts using different cooking methods.

Organise

Plan kitchen tasks, receive and store goods, and follow hygiene rules.

Advise

Work out costs and prices, suggest menus and inform guests, for example about allergens.

This occupation is for you if…

  • you enjoy cooking and putting new dishes together
  • you work carefully and follow hygiene rules
  • you like teamwork in a kitchen
  • you are fine with standing for long periods

Less suitable if…

  • you cannot stand for long periods
  • you do not like working in a team under pressure
  • you reject very strict hygiene rules

Advantages

  • Paid from the 1st year
  • IHK certificate recognised across Germany
  • Restaurants, hotels, canteens, hospitals: varied jobs
  • Vegetarian cooking as an additional qualification

Difficulties

  • Work on your feet, in a hot kitchen
  • Strict hygiene rules and record keeping
  • Precision and speed needed during service
  • Professional German takes effort at first
Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

Receiving goodsCheck deliveries, verify the cold chain and put the ingredients in the right place.
Preparing ingredientsPeel, cut and prepare ingredients, then plan the steps of the day.
Sauces and soupsPrepare the stocks, soups and sauces that will go with the dishes at service.
Lunch serviceCook, season and plate dishes on time, as a team and following hygiene rules.
Cleaning and tidyingClean the workstation, maintain equipment and fill in the hygiene records.
Preparing ordersCheck stock, note what is needed and prepare the next menus with the head chef.

Technical skills

Cooking techniquesCutting meat and fishSauces, soups and dessertsHygiene and HACCPStock managementCosting and pricing

Personal qualities

OrganisationTeam spiritAttention to detailCreativitySense of responsibility
The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company
1–2 days school
Year 1

The fundamentals

≈ €1,120gross / month
  • Hygiene and safety at work
  • Receiving and storing goods
  • Basic kitchen techniques
Year 2

Widening the repertoire

≈ €1,233gross / month
  • Simple dishes, vegetables, sauces
  • Fish, meat, doughs, batters
  • Exam part 1 (4th half-year)
Year 3

Independence

≈ €1,346gross / month
  • Menus, desserts, pricing
  • Advising guests, guiding staff
  • Final exam, part 2

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: BIBB 2025, moyenne nationale. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification
The final exam has 2 parts. Part 1 takes place in the 4th half-year: it covers the first 18 months, with simple dishes and a 60-minute written paper. Part 2, at the end, includes a 3-course menu, products and storage, technology and guest information, then economics and social studies. Qualification: the final certificate (Abschlusszeugnis) of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).
Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.
German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.
Physical fitnessBERUFENET cites manual dexterity and good physical fitness, notably for cutting meat and fish and for working on your feet.
Documents to prepare
  • CV and cover letter in German
  • Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
  • German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified cookJobs in restaurants, hotels, canteens, hospitals, care homes or catering companies.
With experienceDietary cook (Diätkoch)Specialise in dietary cooking through a recognised continuing training course.
Longer termMaster chef or FachwirtWork towards the Küchenmeister (master chef) or the Fachwirt im Gastgewerbe (hospitality manager).
Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Hospitality, catering and tourism” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Cook (Koch/Köchin)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Take the test
Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64
Need assistance
Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses
Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

Go to AZUFA

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
  1. 1

    Check my eligibility

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  3. 3

    Learn German, from A1 to B2

    DZKDZK
    Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  5. 5

    Find the company and sign the training contract

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Campus GermanyCampus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    KAGEDEV e.V.KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    AZUFAAZUFA
    It is always us
See the detail of the 8 steps
  1. 1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
  2. 2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
  3. 3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
    Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
  4. 4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
  5. 5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
    We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
  6. 6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
  7. 7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
  8. 8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
  1. 1

    Check my eligibility

    The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  2. 2

    Talk to an advisor

    Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  3. 3

    Learn German, from A1 to B2

    Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.

    DZKRun by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
  4. 4

    Prepare the application file

    CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  5. 5

    Find the company and sign the training contract

    We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA · It is always us
  6. 6

    Prepare the visa and paperwork

    Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.

    Campus GermanyRun by Campus Germany
  7. 7

    Prepare your departure and settling in

    Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.

    KAGEDEV e.V.Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
  8. 8

    First day of training in Germany

    You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

    AZUFARun by AZUFA · It is always us

Stay informed

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFA
AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
See AZUFA
DZK
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
See the offer
Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure
Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure
Flyer
FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer
Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?
Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.
How long does the training last?
36 months, i.e. 3 years.
Am I paid during the training?
Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.
Where can I learn German?
In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.
How does the final exam for cooks work?
It has 2 parts: part 1 in the 4th half-year (simple dishes, 60-minute written paper) and part 2 at the end, including a 3-course menu. It is run by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK).
Can you train in vegetarian cooking?
Yes. The regulation provides an optional additional qualification, “Vertiefung für vegetarische und vegane Küche” (advanced vegetarian and vegan cooking), assessed alongside the final exam.
In the same category

Other trainings: Hospitality, catering and tourism

All trainings →
Fachkraft für GastronomieAgent / Agente qualifié(e) de gastronomie24 monthsHotelfachmann/HotelfachfrauEmployé(e) d'hôtellerie36 monthsKaufmann für Tourismus und Freizeit/Kauffrau für Tourismus und FreizeitEmployé(e) de commerce en tourisme et loisirs36 monthsVeranstaltungskaufmann/VeranstaltungskauffrauEmployé(e) de commerce en événementiel36 monthsFachmann für Systemgastronomie/Fachfrau für SystemgastronomieSpécialiste en restauration collective/système (restauration rapide organisée)36 monthsFachmann für Restaurants und Veranstaltungsgastronomie/Fachfrau für Restaurants und VeranstaltungsgastronomieSpécialiste en restauration et restauration événementielle36 months

Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistanceWrite on WhatsApp
Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64
Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon
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