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Skills, Education and Experience

Skills for Chefs

  • must be creative and have a good sense of timing
  • detail-oriented when it involves food preparation and presentation
  • excellent communication, good managerial skills 
  • ability to motivate staff
  • have good sense of taste and flavour
  • able to work under pressure, handle many different tasks at once

Skills for Cooks

  • well organized and able to work under pressure
  • enjoy working with your hands and have an interest in preparing food
  • detail oriented
  • have strong communication and teamwork skills

Education and Experience

Chefs and Cooks do not require certification to work in BC but employers tend to prefer hiring those who are certified.

Chefs: Many colleges and private schools offer programs in food preparation, cooking, chef training, and culinary management. Higher professional certifications are available for those with extensive experience in the field. Professional designations such as these improve a chef’s chances of securing better paying positions in fine restaurants and large hotels.

Chefs generally need:

  • Secondary school completion and cook's trade certification or equivalent credentials, training and experience
  • Some formal training that is often accompanied by on-the-job training and additional coursework

Sous-chefs, specialist chefs and chefs usually need:

  • Several years of experience in commercial food preparation

Executive chefs usually need:

  • Management training and several years of experience in commercial food preparation, including two years in a supervisory role and experience as a sous-chef, specialist chef or chef

Cooks: A high school diploma is often required for this career. To get the higher-skilled and higher paying jobs, you can complete an apprenticeship or attend a college or vocational school for cooking, culinary arts or related program. On-the-job training may also be provided.

Qualifications

This occupation is not regulated in British Columbia

Voluntary Red Seal certification is available through the BC Industry Training Authority (ITA)  including Apprenticeship programs for Professional Cooks. Graduates of this program can earn the Red Seal certification which allows you to work in other provinces without having to re-certify.

Internationally Trained Chefs and Cooks

If you have significant work experience in a trade but have never been certified in Canada, you may get credit for your prior training and experience.