Culinary Skills (Co-Op)

In this one-year co-op program, you will learn the cutting-edge skills necessary to thrive in the high growth culinary industry. Through live-action demonstrations, lectures, and immersive hands-on practice, students will be provided with the solid foundational skills of classic and emerging culinary trends and techniques – all in an environment that encourages creativity and collaboration.

Conestoga College’s Culinary Skills program offers the beneficial opportunity of a four-month paid co-op work term.

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.