Professional Cook

Overview

The Professional Cook 1 (PRCO-401) program is offered with intakes in September, January and April and the Professional Cook 2 (PRCO-402) program is offered with intakes in September and January. Both programs are offered at the Interurban campus.

PRCO-401 is 28 weeks long, and upon successful completion you’ll be awarded the equivalent of technical training for PRCO-401 apprenticeship. PRCO-402 is offered over 14 weeks and upon completion you will receive the PRCO-402 technical training certificate and apprenticeship training. As a Professional Cook student you will be automatically registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA).

Our e-pprentice program allows you to complete your apprenticeship online.

Hands-on learning

Both programs include practical, technical training and all certification assessments.

Throughout your program, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in our professional production kitchens. Each day you will prepare breakfast and lunch for customers in the cafeteria at Helut Helmut Huber Culinary Arts Centre, and as a more advanced Professional Cook apprentice, you will practice your fine dining skills by running the ClassRoom Restaurant.

After graduation

Upon successful completion of PRCO-401 and PRCO-402, you’ll be eligible to continue your training in the Professional Cook 3 (PRCO-403) apprenticeship program. Once employed your technical training education will take place at Camosun College over a period of six weeks and will include all assessments and the Red Seal examination.

As an apprentice you will continue to build on your skills and gain the practical experience necessary to become fully qualified for your Red Seal certification.

The food service industry is one of the nation’s biggest employers, and opportunities for graduates of professional cook programs are numerous and diverse.

With your PRCO-401 certificate, you can seek jobs in family restaurants, bistros, hotels and large institutions such as hospitals, logging camps, cruise ships or schools.

Following completion of the PRCO-402 certificate you’ll be qualified to work in some of the leading hotels and restaurants locally, nationally or internationally and be able to pursue your apprenticeship by completing your Red Seal in the PRCO-403 program. Upon completion you will be much better prepared to work in fine dining or on elaborate buffets, and large-function catering.