Culinary Skills at Algonquin College

Sharpen your skills in world-class culinary labs.

This one-year Culinary Skills Ontario College Certificate program teaches you the cutting-edge skills you need to succeed in the high-growth culinary industry. Learn essential food preparation skills and techniques from industry professionals in Algonquin College`s world-class culinary labs. Topics include nutrition and food theory, food cost control, menu planning and sanitation and safety procedures.

The hands-on experience and knowledge you gain opens many doors for you and helps to shape your career as a professional cook.

Some classes are held in the evening and on the weekend in Restaurant International, Algonquin College`s on-campus fine-dining restaurant, to give you a taste of your career before graduation.

Expand your real-world experience and make industry connections with an 80-hour field placement. With opportunities to participate in community events, culinary competitions and activities, you have many opportunities to refine your skills and gain further experience. You also have the exciting opportunity to experience food and culture abroad in Italy, if you choose to participate in the annual culinary trip.

The skills you gain may open doors to your culinary career as cooks or assistant cooks in:

• restaurants
• hotels
• resorts
• clubs
• cruise ships
• catering companies

With additional training, you may advance into positions such as:

• commis de cuisine
• junior/executive sous-chef, and
• executive chef de cuisine

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well suited for students who:

• Are well organized, creative and work well under tight time constraints and pressure.
• Aspire to own a restaurant or use their entrepreneurial spirit to manage an existing business.
• Can work independently and contribute to a team environment.
• Are able to work long hours.
• Seek rewarding opportunities and experiences.
• Understand the importance of work safety practices.

Careers

There is a strong demand for trained cooks and the food and beverage industry is now offering good salaries and working conditions to attract skilled personnel. Graduates may find employment as cooks or assistant cooks in the food service departments of restaurants, hotels, motels, resorts, cruise ships, institutions and catering companies. With further training, graduates may advance to positions as commis de cuisine, department chefs, junior sous-chefs, executive sous-chefs, chefs de cuisine and executive chefs de cuisine. Graduates may also pursue self-employment opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Provide fundamental culinary preparation and presentation for a variety of food service environments using a range of classical and contemporary techniques.
2. Apply basic food and bake science to food preparation to create a desired end product.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Apply fundamental business principles and recognized industry costing and control practices to food service operations to promote a fiscally responsible operation.
7. 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.
8. Use technology, including contemporary kitchen equipment, for food production and promotion.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).

• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English.