Culinary Skills

Students learn how to work in professional kitchens regionally, nationally, and internationally. Students develop fundamental food knowledge, and food preparation and presentation skills that will prepare them for lifelong career success with strong industry connections. Students practice professionalism, culinary and management skills, safety and sanitation, nutrition, product knowledge, and identification while applying their skills in a hands-on learning environment. Through this program, students complete the in-school portion of the cook apprenticeship program of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Graduates may find work in a variety of food and beverage operations such as hotels, resorts and camps; a variety of restaurants from specialty and gourmet to fast food; private clubs, banquet and catering facilities, and institutional food services all working locally, provincially, nationally and internationally.

What You’ll Learn

• Provide fundamental culinary preparation and presentation for a variety of food service environments using a range of classical and contemporary techniques.
• Apply basic food and bake science to food preparation to create a desired end product.
• Contribute to and monitor adherence of others to the provision of a well maintained kitchen environment and to the service of food and beverage products that are free from harmful bacteria or other contaminants, adhering to health, safety, sanitation and food handling regulations.
• Ensure the safe operation of the kitchen and all aspects of food preparation to promote healthy work spaces and the responsible, efficient use of resources.
• Support the development of menu options that reflect knowledge of nutrition and food ingredients, promote general health and well-being, respond to a range of nutritional needs and preferences and address modifications for special diets, food allergies and intolerances, as required.
• Apply fundamental business principles and recognized industry costing and control practices to food service operations to promote a fiscally responsible operation.
• Apply basic knowledge of sustainability, ethical and local food sourcing, and food security to food preparation and kitchen management, recognizing the potential impacts on food production, consumer choice and operations within the food service industry.
• Use technology, including contemporary kitchen equipment, for food production and promotion.
• Perform effectively as a member of a food and beverage preparation and service team and contribute to the success of a food-service operation by applying self-management and interpersonal skills.
• Develop strategies for continuous personal and professional learning to ensure currency with and responsiveness to emerging culinary techniques, regulations, and practices in the food service industry.
• Apply basic entrepreneurial strategies to identify and respond to new opportunities.