Faculty of Culinary Arts: Cook

Diploma of Vocational Education

Duration: 35 weeks plus 2 week work term

Program Description

The 9-month Cook Diploma program is a provincially-accredited apprenticeship curriculum that was developed by government and approved by the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board. The program provides students with a wide range of skills that are needed to work as a first-year apprentice, including those related to safety and hygiene, vegetables, meats, fruits and nuts, rices and grains, seafood and deserts as well as many others. Most courses are designed in such a way that students spend time divided equally between the classroom and one of our professional kitchens. After completing the academic portion of the program students will complete a 2 week work-term under the supervision of a professional cook.

Note: Students may also choose to continue their studies for an additional 19 weeks and complete the Baker program. They would then graduate with both credentials.

Apprenticeship Training

The Cook program is an apprenticeship trades program. Courses completed at Academy Canada meet the requirements to become an Entry-Level Cook. Once this training is completed and the graduate obtains their first position in the trade, s/he must register as an Apprentice with the Department of Education (Division of Industrial Training). Government will then cover the costs associated with regular advanced training as the apprentice gains experience and works towards completing their Journeyperson exam. Passing this examination will result in receiving Red Seal Certification.

Program Courses

• Kitchen Safety
• Hygiene and Sanitation Awareness
• Weights and Measures
• Kitchen Tools and Equipment
• Basic Cooking Methods and Principles
• Receiving and Storage
• Vegetables and Fungi
• Fruits
• Potatoes
• Rices, Grains and Pulses
• Pastas and Dumplings
• Stocks and Glazes
• Soups
• Sauces
• Principles of Meat Cooking and Handling
• Stuffings
• Poultry
• Fish and Seafood
• Beef and Pork
• Sandwiches
• The Professional Cook
• Introduction to Baking
• Pies Tarts, Flans and Fillings
• Food Presentation
• Salad and Salad Dressings
• Dairy Products
• Breakfast Cookery
• Yeast Products
• Quick Breads
• Basic Cakes
• Cookies and Squares
• Occupational Health and Safety
• WHMIS
• Standard First Aid
• Workplace Communications
• Customer Service
• Basic Math
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• Introduction to Computers
• Workplace Skills
• Job Search Techniques
• Entrepreneurial Awareness
• Introduction to Apprenticeship
• Workplace Exposure

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Cook program, graduates may be employed in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other health care institutions, central food commissaries, educational institutions, and other establishments. Cooks are also employed aboard ships and at construction and logging campsites. Students will gain valuable hands-on training throughout their program and will be ready for immediate entry into the work force upon graduation.

Please click here for additional labour market information.

Entrance Requirements

High School Graduates or Equivalent

High School Graduates or equivalent are eligible for admission to the Cook program. Students must complete an application form and provide a copy of High School, ABE, or G.E.D. results. Under certain circumstances students who do not meet the formal High School requirements may be accepted upon the recommendation of a High School Principal or Guidance Counsellor. Please contact an Admissions Officer for further details.

Mature Students

Mature students are eligible for admission to the Cook program. These students must be 19 years of age or older, complete an application form, provide a copy of most recent marks, and write a Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) as arranged by Academy Canada.

Supporting Documents

To view Apprenticeship Trades supporting documents, click here.

For further information, please contact an Admissions Officer at 1-800-561-8000 or visit the information request page.

To apply for the Faculty of Culinary Arts: Cook or other Academy Canada programs online, click here.

Program start dates are subject to sufficient enrollment.

Academy Canada reserves the right to modify any programs, courses, topics, objectives, etc.