Applying

At Helsinki Culinary School Perho, it is possible to take basic vocational or double qualifications (vocational qualification in restaurant food production plus general upper secondary qualifications).

Foreign residents and immigrants in Finland can also apply for and participate in the Finnish-speaking education (waiter/waitress, restaurant cook, hotel receptionist) at the Helsinki Culinary School Perho.

However, a sufficient command of Finnish is required so that the student can study properly. Perho can test the students’ Finnish language skills by organising a language exam or an interview, if the student’s native language is not the same as the language of tuition.

From beginner into a professional

The tuition is organized so that the students keep their enthusiasm for life-long learning. The students’ motivation and skills are supported by the teachers and other supervising staff. The teachers guide, encourage and support the students throughout their studies.

An enthusiastic student builds his/her own skills and know-how by studying and exchanging views with fellow students, professionals in the restaurant industry, the teachers, the supervising staff and other staff at Perho.

Do it yourself and learn

The courses at Perho form working-life oriented wholes. A satisfied customer is our goal, and therefore good customer service and the student’s ability to work in restaurants with different business ideas are emphasized throughout the studies. The tuition is versatile and practical, the learning situations and learning environments vary, and the teaching methods encourage participation and take individual learning styles and challenging learners into account. The theory lessons provide the necessary background knowledge for practical work. There is a great deal of language studies that concentrate on the restaurant industry. Students are acquainted with foreign cultures, and they plan international theme events with food, drink, and invited guests.

By doing, trying and experiencing by themselves, and engaging in on-the-job learning in genuine work environments, the students grow from beginners to experts. The Perho students become professionals in the hotel and restaurant industry who have good social skills, are responsible members of society and are enthusiastic about learning more in a changing environment.

The study programmes in the hotel, restaurant and catering industry

Restaurant Cook

  • for the foreign applicants: corresponding level of all-round education
  • general upper secondary qualifications/matriculation examination
  • direct applications to the school
  • tuition is in English
Waiter/Waitress
  • comprehensive school based study programme in restaurant services
  • general upper secondary qualifications/matriculation examination
  • applications through the first national joint application in spring
  • tuition is in Finnish

Restaurant Cook

  • comprehensive school based study programme in restaurant food production
  • general upper secondary qualifications/matriculation examination
  • applications through the first national joint application in spring
  • tuition is in Finnish

Hotel Receptionist

  • general upper secondary qualifications/matriculation examination
  • applications through the first national joint application in spring
  • tuition is in Finnish

Double qualifications

  • basic vocational qualification in hotel and restaurant services/restaurant food production study programme plus the syllabus of general upper secondary school for adults
  • applications through the first national joint application in spring
  • The general upper secondary qualifications are taken in the Eira High School for Adults.
  • tuition is in Finnish

Choice of study programme

The comprehensive school based studies are the same for all first year students. In the second year the students choose the study programme of either waiter/waitress or restaurant cook, guided by the professional studies teacher.

In the general upper secondary qualifications based studies the study programme is chosen already for the first year of study: hotel receptionist, waiter/waitress or restaurant cook (tuition in Finnish)

Ravintolakoulu Perho, Helsinki Culinary School, Perhonkatu 11, 00100 HELSINKI