Culinary Arts Certificate
Have a passion for food? Gain the fundamental knowledge needed for successful employment as a cook in one of the many areas of food service. Starting with the essentials, students will navigate 50 weeks of experiential learning, with time spent daily in the campus kitchens, opportunities at Infusions Restaurant and co-op work experience terms.
Students will participate in a 10-week Co-op placement (course CA 250), that will introduce students to real workplace environments, as well as provide perspectives to industry standards and expectations.
Please note that to complete Professional Cook 2, students require an employer to sponsor them as an apprentice and they will need to complete an additional 760 work based hours.
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Credential
Certificate
Delivery options
Full-Time
- International students eligible
Tuition and fees
2024-25: $6,855.34
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This program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid & Awards
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Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
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Plus mandatory co-op fees as listed above.
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Breakdown:
Professional Cook 1 (30 weeks): $4,251.42
Professional Cook Co-op (10 weeks): $420.41 (not included)
Professional Cook 2 (10 weeks): $1,347.61
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Textbooks and Supplies (i.e. knives, equipment and uniform): Approximately $1,000 total. Students must provide their own leather closed-toed shoes with non-skid soles. Students are required to launder their own uniforms.
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
The Culinary Arts Certificate (and Year 1 of the Culinary Arts Management Diploma) is designed for students who are passionate about exploring a career in the restaurant, food service and hospitality industries.
Learner centered, industry driven and community connected, this 50 week (1,500 hour) program provides the fundamental skills needed for successful employment in the culinary field.
The immersive, experiential curriculum takes full advantage of the Okanagan Valley's rich agricultural history. Shaped by ancient geological forces, students will continue to realize the benefits today using the products of its many farms, orchards and vineyards in our teaching kitchens.
The applied learning style of instruction provides students with opportunities to practice and directly employ culinary skills in context while participating in authentic learning activities individually, in pairs and teams. Proper techniques and practices are reinforced while providing opportunities for exploration and experimentation as tied to related course concepts.
Apprenticeship technical training credit for Professional Cook Level 1 and Level 2 and 600 work based hours for Level 1 and 240 work based hours for Level 2 will be granted by SkilledTradesBC upon successful completion of this program. Apprenticeship practical training credit will also be granted by SkilledTradesBC as a result of prior practical experience.
Students must provide proof of completion of the co-op or other 400 work-based hours and successfully complete all Level 1 components prior to advancing to Level 2 components of the program. Upon successful completion of Level 1 and Level 2 requirements, students are eligible to challenge the Provincial Cook Certificate of Qualification examinations for Level 1 and Level 2.
Students wishing to pursue the Professional Cook Red Seal endorsement must provide proof of a total of 5,000 work-based hours and complete Level 3 technical training.
Textbooks
- Professional Cooking 9th Edition with Wiley Plus – Gisslen, W.: $145.49
5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.
Uniform
- Checkered Pants – 2 (choice of elastic or zipper) $35.99
- Jacket unisex– 2 (for 2XL and up – add $5.00 to $10.00) $40.00
- Jacket woman’s cut – 2 (for 2XL and up – add $5.00 to $10.00) $50.00
- Culinary Bundle: 5 towels, 1 black pillbox hat, 2 striped bib aprons $77.99
5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.
Other
- Basic Math Calculator
- Master Combination Lock for Locker
- Small Personal Notebook
- Pen
- Black Non-slip Shoes (mandatory for safety reasons, no steel-toe required)
Knives
- Customized Knife Kit (approximately $675). Available for purchase two weeks before the program start date at Chefs Edge (2445 Highway 97N, Kelowna, B.C.)
- Phone: 250-868-2425
- Email: info@chefsedge.ca.
Important information
- Submission of a valid (non-expired) FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate is a prerequisite. The online course can be found at http://www.foodsafe.ca/courses/level-1.html#online
Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.
Applicants who have not satisfied the Math admission requirement within the last seven years, and/or do not meet the English admission requirement, must write the TEA Math and/or English test. Both of the assessments are online, multiple-choice and timed. Applicants are allotted 1 hour to complete each section (2 hours for both). A practice assessment and study resources are offered to all applicants who register to write the TEA. Calculators are not allowed while completing the Math section; applicants who are observed to use a calculator of any sort will receive a grade of zero. Applicants who do not achieve the minimum passing requirement on their initial attempt, are offered a second attempt at no additional cost after a two-week study period.
Please ensure you write the assessment, and any required re-writes, prior to the deadline for admissions requirements provided by the Registrar’s office. For more information or to register for the Trades Entrance Assessment, click here. Further questions can be directed to the Trades and Apprenticeship office at trades@okanagan.bc.ca.
Please note: Applicants who successfully completed the ABLE test at Okanagan College within the two years prior to application for admission shall have their results accepted as equivalent to the Trades Entrance Assessment.
The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!
Textbooks available online only at OC Campus Store. If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.
It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.
Admission requirements
- B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
- English 10 with minimum 50% or alternatives.
- Math requirement:
- Students graduating from secondary school in or prior to 2012:
- A minimum of 50% in one of:
- Mathematics 10,
- An equivalent Intermediate Level Adult Basic Education Mathematics course,
- Trades Entrance Assessment (TEA) mathematics score.
- A minimum of 50% in one of:
- Students entering Grade 10 in or after 2010 and/or completing the new mathematics curriculum:
- A minimum of 50% in one of:
- Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10,
- Workplace Mathematics 10,
- Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10,
- An equivalent Intermediate Level Adult Basic Education Mathematics course,
- TEA mathematics score.
- A minimum of 50% in one of:
- Students graduating from secondary school in or prior to 2012:
- Submission of a valid (non-expired) FOODSAFE Level 1 certificate.
Program outline
Co-op Term
Semester 2
Notes:
Additional information
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