Professional Cook (Institution Entry)

Cooks perform all phases of kitchen activities including the preparation and presentation of food, basic menu planning/costing and they possess knowledge of safety, sanitation and food storage, plus human and customer relations.

Cooks can obtain professional designation at Levels 1, 2, or 3, progressing in knowledge and responsibility at each Level. A Professional Cook 1 is usually supervised and performs basic cooking and food preparation tasks utilizing knife skills, correct terminology, and a variety of cooking methods. They must be able to follow recipes, weigh and measure food accurately, and have an understanding of the major techniques and principles used in cooking, baking, and other aspects of food preparation. At Level 1, a professional cook should have a solid foundation of culinary skill.

A Professional Cook 2 usually works under some supervision and performs a variety of cooking and food preparation tasks using multiple methods, and should have a preliminary understanding of food costing, menu planning, and purchasing processes.

Usually working under limited supervision, a Professional Cook 3 will be competent at the major techniques and principles used in cooking, baking, and other aspects of food preparation. In addition, a Professional Cook 3 should be able to plan and cost menus and recipes, and have an understanding of the communication skills necessary to take a leadership role in the kitchen. At Level 3, a Professional Cook can obtain national designation as a Cook under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.

Other programs in this sector:

 | Baker

Explore job expectations, education requirements, salary and more:WorkBC Career Profile

Recommendations

Creativity, a keen sense of taste and smell, interest in precision work and good memory for details.

 

The following education is recommended: Grade 10 or equivalent (Grade 12 is preferred), including English 10, Math 10, Science 10.

 

A Foodsafe Level 1 Certificate is required prior to enrolment in a training program.

 

The Apprenticeship Program is comprised of Levels 1-to-3 of progressive training, with each Level taking 6 weeks (180 hours) to complete, however certification can be achieved at any desired level (refer to SkilledTradesBC for full details).

 

At Levels 1 and 2, apprentices are required to accumulate 1,000 hours of work-based training; at Level 3, it's 3,000, totalling 5,000 hours.

PROGRAM TYPES

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Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 06 2025Dec 23 2025

Professional Cook 1 (Institution Entry)

Institution

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Date

Program

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Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jan 06 2025Aug 01 2025

Professional Cook 1 Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 13 2025Apr 30 2025

Professional Cook 2 (Institution Entry)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Jan 13 2025May 02 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Jan 13 2025Aug 21 2025

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

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Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jan 20 2025Mar 28 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institution Entry

Institution

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Date

Program

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North Island College

Port Alberni - Roger St

Jan 27 2025Aug 14 2025

Professional Cook 1 - Institution

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Coast Mountain College

Smithers

Feb 03 2025Jul 18 2025

Professional Cook (Institution Entry)

Institution

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Date

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North Island College

Port Alberni - Roger St

Feb 10 2025May 16 2025

Professional Cook 2 - Institution

Institution

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Feb 10 2025May 30 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Feb 10 2025Sep 18 2025

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

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Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Feb 18 2025Nov 14 2025

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

College of New Caledonia

Prince George - Main Campus

Mar 10 2025Jun 13 2025

Professional Cook

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Mar 10 2025Oct 16 2025

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Mar 10 2025Jun 27 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

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Contact

Univ. of the Fraser Valley

Trades and Technology Centre (CEP)

Mar 10 2025May 23 2025

Prof. Cook Institution Entry (L2)

Institution

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Date

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Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Mar 24 2025Sep 05 2025

Professional Cook Institution Entry

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Van. Island University

Cowichan

Mar 24 2025Sep 12 2025

Professional Cook Institution Entry

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North Island College

Campbell River

Mar 24 2025Jun 27 2025

Professional Cook 2 - Institution

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Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Mar 24 2025Sep 05 2025

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

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Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Mar 24 2025Sep 05 2025

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

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Program

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Apr 07 2025Jul 25 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

Program

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Apr 07 2025Nov 14 2025

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Apr 14 2025Nov 07 2025

Professional Cook 1 Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

May 05 2025Dec 12 2025

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

May 05 2025Aug 22 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Program

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Jun 02 2025Feb 06 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Program

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Jun 02 2025Sep 19 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jun 30 2025Sep 05 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Jun 30 2025Mar 06 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Jun 30 2025Oct 17 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Jul 28 2025Apr 02 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

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Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Jul 28 2025Nov 14 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

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Program

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Coast Mountain College

Terrace

Aug 05 2025Feb 27 2026

Professional Cook (Institution Entry)

Institution

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Date

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College of New Caledonia

Prince George - Main Campus

Aug 11 2025Mar 06 2026

Professional Cook

Institution

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Date

Program

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Univ. of the Fraser Valley

Trades and Technology Centre (CEP)

Aug 11 2025Mar 06 2026

Prof. Cook Institution Entry (L1)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Univ. of the Fraser Valley

Trades and Technology Centre (CEP)

Aug 11 2025Mar 06 2026

Prof. Cook Institution Entry (L1)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

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Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Aug 25 2025Mar 20 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

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Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Aug 25 2025Mar 20 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

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Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Aug 25 2025Mar 20 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

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Van. Island University

Cowichan

Aug 25 2025Mar 20 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

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Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Aug 25 2025May 01 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Aug 25 2025Dec 12 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

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College of New Caledonia

Burns Lake

Sep 02 2025Mar 27 2026

Professional Cook

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Northern Lights College

Dawson Creek

Sep 02 2025Dec 11 2025

Professional Cook 2 (Institutional Entry)

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Northern Lights College

Dawson Creek

Sep 02 2025Apr 17 2026

Professional Cook 1 (Institutional Entry)

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North Island College

Campbell River

Sep 02 2025Mar 20 2026

Professional Cook 1 - Institution

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North Island College

Port Alberni - Roger St

Sep 02 2025Mar 20 2026

Professional Cook 1 - Institution

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College of the Rockies

Main Campus

Sep 02 2025Apr 02 2026

Cook 1 Institution Entry

Institution

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Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Sep 02 2025Apr 29 2026

Professional Cook 1 (Institution Entry)

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Sep 02 2025Jun 25 2026

Cooking ESL Level 1

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

Nicola Valley Institute of Tech.

Merritt

Sep 03 2025Mar 27 2026

Culinary Arts PC1

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Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Sep 08 2025Apr 17 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Sep 08 2025Dec 22 2025

Professional Cook 2 (Institution Entry)

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Program

Contact

Selkirk College

Tenth Street Campus - Nelson

Sep 08 2025Apr 17 2026

Professional Cook 1 (Institutional Entry)

Institution

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Contact

Selkirk College

Tenth Street Campus - Nelson

Sep 09 2025Dec 12 2025

Professional Cook (Institutional Entry)

Institution

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Sep 22 2025Feb 06 2026

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Sep 22 2025May 29 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

North Island College

Campbell River

Oct 06 2025Dec 19 2025

Professional Cook 3 - App 03

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Oct 14 2025Dec 19 2025

Professional Cook 2 Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Coast Mountain College

Terrace

Oct 20 2025Feb 06 2026

Professional Cook (Institution Entry)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Oct 20 2025Jul 03 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Oct 20 2025Mar 06 2026

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Nov 17 2025Mar 06 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Nov 17 2025Apr 03 2026

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Nov 17 2025Jul 31 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 06 2026Dec 22 2026

Professional Cook 1 (Institution Entry)

Institution

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Date

Program

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VCC

Downtown Campus

Jan 12 2026May 01 2026

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Jan 12 2026Aug 28 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 13 2026Apr 24 2026

Professional Cook 2 (Institution Entry)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jan 19 2026Mar 27 2026

Professional Cook 2 Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jan 26 2026Aug 21 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Northern Lights College

Dawson Creek

Feb 02 2026May 13 2026

Professional Cook 2 (Institutional Entry)

Institution

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Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Feb 09 2026Sep 25 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Feb 09 2026May 29 2026

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Feb 17 2026Nov 13 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

College of New Caledonia

Prince George - Main Campus

Mar 09 2026Jun 12 2026

Professional Cook

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Mar 09 2026Jul 03 2026

Professional Cook 2 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

VCC

Downtown Campus

Mar 09 2026Oct 15 2026

Professional Cook 1 Institutional Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Univ. of the Fraser Valley

Trades and Technology Centre (CEP)

Mar 09 2026May 22 2026

Prof. Cook Institution Entry (L2)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Mar 23 2026Sep 04 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

North Island College

Campbell River

Mar 23 2026Jun 26 2026

Professional Cook 2 - Institution

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

North Island College

Port Alberni - Roger St

Mar 23 2026Jun 26 2026

Professional Cook 2 - Institution

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Cowichan

Mar 23 2026Sep 04 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Mar 23 2026Sep 04 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Nanaimo

Mar 23 2026Sep 04 2026

Professional Cook Institution Entry

INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER THE PROGRAM BUT HAVE NO ACTIVELY SCHEDULED INTAKES BEFORE APRIL 2026

Institution

Campus

Program

Contact

Nicola Valley Institute of Tech.

Merritt

IPC2