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Central Vancouver Island: Think Trades & Technology

Cooks

What's It Like?

According to the Industry Training Authority (ITA) cooks work in an even wider variety of settings than most skilled trade workers do: restaurants, hotels, catering companies, health care and educational institutions, and film and TV worksites are just some of the possibilities. Cook is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program.

A cook is a person who performs all aspects of kitchen activities, including the preparation and presentation of meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, soups, sauces and some desserts and pastries. In addition, they must have good knowledge of safety, sanitation and proper food storage practices.

Cooks may:

• Plan menus
• Cost and order supplies
• Prepare and present food in an aesthetically pleasing way
• Be well informed in food safety and handling

Some Cooks go on to become Chefs!

Chefs are responsible for the preparation and presentation of food in fine dining restaurants, private clubs, hotels and other organizations. They are more highly trained than cooks and their duties include budgeting, purchasing supplies, hiring staff and generally making sure that things run smoothly in the kitchen.

Money & Benefits

Wages

Wages vary widely in this occupation, based on individual talent, experience and the type of employer. For skilled cooks who wish to take on extra responsibilities, the possibilities are endless. Even though entry level cooks may start at little more than minimum wage, most establishments have policies that include cooks in gratuity sharing. This can be a significant percentage of their income.

According to the Hospital Employees Union's Collective Agreement these rates are the highest rates for cooks working in-house at hospitals or long-term care facilities.

Designation	Hourly Rate
Cook 1	$19.30
Cook 2 & 3	$19.62
Cook 4	$20.62

Benefits

Benefits are unique to each company. Larger businesses and government have employee benefit packages including health care, dental, vacation and sick time.

Why We’re Betting on This

• There is a large employed labour pool of cooks in the growing central Vancouver Island region which means that cooks often have their choice of employers and employment situations
• Some of the local career opportunities for chefs in the central Vancouver Island region include the many resorts, BC Ferries, hospitals, the correctional centre, Malaspina University College, seniors facilities, catering companies, restaurants and hotels
• The demand for cooks is expected to continue to grow, alongside the region’s population growth, particularly seniors
• The growing tourism industry will also contribute to growth in this occupation
• Cooks have an opportunity to open and run their own businesses
• There is room for upward movement in this occupation – a person can start out as a “prep cook” and make their way up to head chef
• Cooking offers full or part time work, year round
• Cooks report that despite hard work, they love the creativity and intensity of the occupations, and of course, the compliments from happy customers

Interested? Where To Start

Educational Requirements

Most colleges require:

• Grade 12 or equivalent, or mature student status
• Minimum 17 years of age
• Successful completion of assessment test
• Food Safe Level 1 Certificate

Educational Institution

Malaspina University-College, Nanaimo

www.mala.ca/calendar/TradesAppliedTech/culinaryarts.asp

The Culinary Diploma at Malaspina provides students with advanced technical training and management skills, giving them the leading edge to advancement and progression in the culinary profession.

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