Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate
Work experience
Clinical/fieldwork placement
Study options
Full-time
Open to International
No
Area of study
Length
Level 1 - 28 weeks, Level 2 - 14 weeks. Inquire below about online option.
Turn your passion for food into an exciting career!
Launch your culinary career and expand your skills in our professional production kitchen
This intensive and hands-on program will help you gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enter the fast-paced world of professional cooking.
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Institutional entry
For new students with only a little or no experience in the industry; or if you want a more immersive experience. This program is intensive and hands-on, helping you gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to enter the fast-paced world of professional cooking.
Upon entering Professional Cook Level 1 you'll be registered as a Professional Cook apprentice, learning from experienced industry professionals while earning your technical training credit and earning work-based training hours toward your Red Seal (Interprovincial) certification. Make sure you meet the Admission Requirements.
Workplace entry
This option is for students who have a job with an employer who will sponsor and train them and are looking to polish their culinary skills. Apprenticeships are fast-paced and perfect for students who are dedicated and self-directed. Learn more about Workplace Entry (Apprenticeship)
Need more flexibility? The E-pprentice Cook program provides the option for online delivery of the Technical Training portion of your apprenticeship.
After completing either Level 1 in institutional or workplace programs you can:
- confidently seek jobs in family restaurants, bistros, hotels, and large institutions such as hospitals, logging camps, cruise ships, or schools
Or
- continue with the听14 weeks Professional Cook Level 2 (Institutional Entry) program earning 240 hours of industry work-based training in the Camosun kitchens and an additional听760 hours of practical work-based training (WBT)
Or
- continue with the Workplace (Apprentice) training in Levels 2 and 3
Learn by doing while working in a professional, commercial-grade kitchen
Professional Cook training uses an applied learning approach to combine technical knowledge, supported by daily hands-on practice in professional commercial grade kitchen facilities.
Each day you will prepare breakfast and lunch for customers in the cafeteria at Helmut Huber Culinary Arts Centre, and as you advance in the programs, you will practice your fine dining skills by running the ClassRoom Restaurant.
Professional Cook info session slides
Earn while you learn
The food service industry is one of the nation鈥檚 biggest employers and opportunities for certified cooks are numerous and diverse.
Professional Cook 1 - BC Certificate of Qualification
With your Professional Cook Level 1, you can work in family restaurants, bistros, hotels and large institutions such as hospitals, logging camps, cruise ships or schools.
Professional Cook 2 - BC Certificate of Qualification
After completing Professional Cook Level 2, you鈥檒l be qualified to work in some of the leading hotels and restaurants locally, nationally or internationally. You'll also be able to pursue an apprenticeship to complete your Red Seal.
Professional Cook 3 - Red Seal
A Professional听Cook Level 3 Red Seal听certification prepares you for work in fine dining or on elaborate buffets, and large-function catering.
We're one of the most successful Professional Cook Red Seal Endorsement programs in Canada.
Program standards for each trade's required training are set by .
鈥淏efore Camosun I was overthinking my future every day and worried about how I would make money. Honestly, the Professional Cook training program has made me feel like I'm on the right track. I鈥檓 excited鈥痶o be waking up every day and working in the kitchen.鈥澨
- Professional Cook student Savannah Mckinnon,听Finding the recipe for career success
Earn while you learn
If you're currently employed as an apprentice, you can get your required technical training for听Professional Cook Levels 1, 2 & 3.
Professional Cook Level 1 & 2 Certificate
Institutional and Workplace Entry
In Professional Cook Levels 1 & 2 (Institutional Entry) you'll build your confidence and sharpen your culinary skills in the Camosun kitchens making you well-positioned to begin an apprenticeship.
Culinary Arts Professional Cook (PC) Pathways
If you are already working in the industry as an apprentice
Learn more about Apprentice Training
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
Level 1
- SkilledTradesBC certified program that provides a solid foundation of culinary skills
- 600 hours of industry work-based training in the Camosun kitchens
- Technical training in the classroom
- Practical and written certification assessment
- An additional 400 hours of practical work-based training (WBT) by working in a commercial kitchen under a Red Seal certified Chef
| Start dates | Program length | Class hours |
|---|---|---|
| September, January or April | 28 weeks | Monday through Friday, 7:30am-2:30pm |
This 听certified program will provide you with a solid foundation of culinary skills. While working in a supervised environment, you will learn to perform basic cooking and food preparation tasks utilizing knife skills, correct terminology, and a variety of cooking methods. Additionally, you will gain an understanding of the major techniques and principles used in cooking, baking, and other aspects of food preparation in a limited number of areas of the kitchen. These include breakfast/short order, sandwiches and salads, vegetables and starches, or the preparation of soups and basic sauces.
Opportunities for academic advancement
Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to receive a AV资源 Certificate in Technical Training for Professional Cook 1, and a credit of 600 hours towards their apprenticeship. For the apprenticeship, students need to complete an additional 400 hours of practical work-based training (WBT) by working in a commercial kitchen under a Red Seal certified Chef. Upon completion of the 400 hours of practical work-based training, students will be issued a Certificate of Qualification Professional Cook 1 by the Industry Training Authority (SkilledTradesBC) in BC.
Students who complete the Professional Cook 1 program have the opportunity to continue on to the Professional Cook 2 program, and subsequently to the听Professional Cook 3 Apprenticeship听program.
Level 2
- 240 hours of industry work-based training in the Camosun kitchens
- technical training in the classroom
- practical and written certification assessment
- an additional 760 hours of practical work-based training (WBT) by working in a commercial kitchen under a Red Seal certified Chef
| Start dates | Program length | Class hours |
|---|---|---|
| September or January | 14 weeks | Monday through Friday, 1:30pm to 10pm |
This SkilledTradesBC certified program builds on the Professional Cook 1 program. While working under some supervision, students will perform a variety of cooking and food preparation tasks using multiple cooking methods. In addition to using the major techniques and principles used in cooking, baking, and other aspects of food preparation, students will gain a preliminary understanding of food costing, menu planning, and purchasing processes.
Opportunities for academic advancement
Students who complete the program are eligible to receive a AV资源 Certificate in Technical Training for Professional Cook 2, and a credit of 240 hours towards their apprenticeship. For the apprenticeship, students need to complete an additional 760 hours of practical work-based training (WBT) by working in a commercial kitchen under a Red Seal certified Chef. Upon completion of the 760 hours of practical work-based training, students will be issued a Certificate of Qualification Professional Cook 2 by SkilledTradesBC.
Students who successfully complete the Professional Cook 2 program have the opportunity to continue on to the Professional Cook 3 Apprenticeship program.
Our trades programs are SkilledTradesBC-approved. 听leads and coordinates the skilled trades training and credential system in British Columbia. The听听sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada and is issued by SkilledTradesBC.
E-ppentice option
Have more flexibility. The E-pprenticeships Cook program provides the option for听online delivery of the technical training portion of your apprenticeship.听听
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program.
Professional Cook Level 1, Certificate
$3,115 (domestic)
Professional Cook Level 2, Certificate
$1,558 (domestic)
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to:听Student Fees.
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Admission requirements - Level 1
One of:
- C in听English 10
- C in听English 10 Camosun Alternative
- C in听ENGL 050
One of:
- C+ in Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10
- C in听MATH 037
And all of:
- Candidates must submit proof (e.g. resume) of at least three months of work experience related to the food service industry, together with a letter of reference from your employer
- Submitted documentation of completion of Food Safe Level 1.
Note:听If you don鈥檛 have one of the preferred math requirements the college will accept a C or higher in Foundations of Math and Pre-calculus 10, or Principles of Math 10, or Applications of Math 11, or听MATH 053听
Admission requirements - Level 2
One of:
- SkilledTradesBC Certificate of Qualification PC1
- SkilledTradesBC Certificate of Qualification PC1 Equivalent (Student should contact the Apprenticeship Office at 250-370-3856 for more information.)
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
Missing admission requirements?
You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.
Program start dates
Contact Registration听to confirm听seat availability*,听250-370-3550.
Professional Cook 1 (PRCO-100)
Level 1
| Start date | End date |
|---|---|
| Apr听4, 2024 | Dec听6, 2024 |
| Sept 16, 2024 | Apr 11, 2025 |
Professional Cook 2 (PRCO-200)
Level 2
| Start date | End date |
|---|---|
| Sept听9, 2024 | Dec听13, 2024 |
| Sept听8, 2025 | Dec听12, 2025 |
| Sept听14, 2026 | Dec听18, 2026 |
| Jan听11, 2027 | Apr听16, 2027 |
*All dates are subject to change.
Need help applying?
Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.
Contact us
If you have admissions questions听contact the Admissions office.
For questions about the program contact听250-370-3856,听tradesinfo@camosun.ca听or the Department Chair.
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Professional Cook 3
Get your Red Seal.
Contact information
Trades Apprenticeship office
Campus location
Centre for Trades and Technology building (CTEI), room 102
Location link