Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

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Cook Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work indoors icon that represents where Cook work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Cook. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Cook click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Food Services

Cook

work indoors

Cooks prepare food in eating establishments such as hotels, restaurants, institutions, trains, and ships.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Home Economics

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Cooks are employed in hotels, clubs, restaurants, catering firms, cafeterias, institutions, homes, specialty food outlets, and isolated camps. Some jobs are seasonal.

  • DutiesDetails

    In general, cooks are responsible for nutrition, food costs, and sanitation.

    Some responsibilities may include:

    • Study menus to decide which foods to include.
    • Work with food suppliers to order proper ingredients.
    • Keep a food storage area well stocked.
    • Wash, peel, and cut vegetables.
    • Clean and cut meats, fish, and poultry.
    • Clean kitchen equipment and cooking utensils.
    • Prepare, season, and cook foods such as:
      • Soups.
      • Salads.
      • Meat.
      • Fish.
      • Gravies.
      • Vegetables.
      • Desserts.
      • Sauces.
      • Casseroles.
    • Carve meats, put food on plates, and add gravies, sauces, and garnish to servings.
    • Bake pastries.
    • Prepare items for buffets (for example, platters and showpieces).
    • Prepare special diets.
    • Oversee menu planning, regulate storage room supplies.
    • Supervise kitchen staff.

    While specific duties vary depending on the type of establishment, it is the cook's responsibility to prepare meals that are both appealing and nutritious.

  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • High stress.
      • Burns and cuts are common.
    • Outdoors
      • Not usually.

    Hours:

    • Flexible hours.
    • Regular Work Schedule: depends on restaurant.
    • My need to work night shifts, shift work or weekends.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • 25 kilograms and heavier.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • Read and write English.
    • Good basic math skills.
    • Enjoy cooking and nutrition.
    • Able to stand for long periods.
    • Good sense of taste and smell.
    • Able to work different shifts.
    • Works well with others.
    • Understands need to keep work station clean.
    • Understands need for regular hand washing.
    • Enjoy being creative.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • English Language Arts 10-2 or equivalent.
    • Math 10-3 or equivalent.
    • OR able to pass the entrance exam.
    • An employer willing to train you.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 3 years.
    • 1560 work hours.
    • 8 weeks classroom training.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Outside the apprenticeship program, the following post-secondary institutions offer related training:

    • Lethbridge College offers a two year Culinary Careers diploma program. The entrance requirement is a minimum of 65 Alberta high school credits with at least 60 per cent in English Language Arts 20-2 and Applied Math 20, or equivalent.
    • MakamI College Inc. in Calgary offers a 35 week Culinary Assistant diploma program. Applicants must be at least 17 years of age.
    • The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton offers one year Culinary Arts certificate program. The minimum entrance requirement is Grade 10 or equivalent.
    • Portage College in Lac La Biche offers a 32 week certificate and a 42 week outreach Culinary Arts program. The entrance requirement for both programs is Grade 9 or equivalent.
    • The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary offers a 56 week Professional Cooking diploma program. The entrance requirement is at least 35 high school credits with English Language Arts 10-1 or 10-2 (or Humanities 10) and Pure or Applied Math 10, Math 10c, Math 10-3, or equivalents. A resumé is required.

    Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

    For current information about programs, admission requirements and mature student admission policies, please check post-secondary calendars or websites.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Sous-chefs.
    • Chefs or executive chefs.
    • Banquet managers.
    • Caterers.
    • Supervisory or management positions.
    • Food editors.
    • Self-employed (own restaurant).
    • Some earn top-level of certification called Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC).
    • There are good prospects for travel both within Canada and around the world.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 21,100 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect above average growth of 2.8% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 591 new positions each year.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but generally range from $9 to $12 an hour plus benefits (2009 estimate). Apprentice cooks earn at least 60 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75 per cent in the second, and 85 per cent in the third.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Cooks occupational group earned on average from $12.31 to $16.79 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $14.20 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails