Professional Cook Training Foundation, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Work experience

Clinical/fieldwork placement

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

Area of study

Trades Foundation

Length

Level 1 - 28 weeks, Level 2 - 14 weeks. Inquire below about online option.

Two paths

The difference between foundation program and apprenticeship.

Learn more

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.

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

continue with the 14 weeks Professional Cook Level 2 (Institutional Entry) program earning 240 hours of industry work-based training in the Camosun kitchens and an additional 760 hours of practical work-based training (WBT)

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’s 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’ll 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 Cook Level 3 Red Seal 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 SkilledTradesBC.

A young women smiles and looks at the camera mixes ingredients while preparing food in a commercial kitchen.

“Before 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’m excited to be waking up every day and working in the kitchen.”

- Professional Cook student Savannah Mckinnon, 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 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.

Program outline

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 SkilledTradesBC 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 Camosun College 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 Professional Cook 3 Apprenticeship 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 Camosun College 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. SkilledTradesBC leads and coordinates the skilled trades training and credential system in British Columbia. The Red Seal Program sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada and is issued by SkilledTradesBC.

A minimalist line drawing of a computer shoeing a textbook on the screen.

E-ppentice option

Have more flexibility. The E-pprenticeships Cook program provides the option for online delivery of the technical training portion of your apprenticeship.

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: 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.

Financial Aid & Awards

Admission requirements - Level 1

One of:

C in English 10
C in English 10 Camosun Alternative
C in ENGL 050

One of:

C+ in Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 10
C in 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: If you don’t 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 MATH 053

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.