Overview
Cooks prepare and cook a wide variety of foods. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other health care institutions, central food commissaries, educational institutions and other establishments. They are also employed aboard ships and at construction and logging campsites. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Prepare and cook complete meals or individual dishes and foods
Prepare and cook special meals for patients as instructed by dietitian or chef
Schedule and supervise kitchen helpers
Oversee kitchen operations
Maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment
May set up and oversee buffets
May clean kitchen and work area
May plan menus, determine size of food portions, estimate food requirements and costs, and monitor and order supplies
May hire and train kitchen staff.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$28,487
$31,918
$41,493
Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 30.61
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
3,723expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of a three-year apprenticeship program for cooks or completion of college or other program in cooking or food safety or several years of commercial cooking experience may be required.
Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories.
Additional information
The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
There is mobility among the various types of cooks in this group.
Progression to supervisory or more senior positions, such as chef, is possible with experience and training.
Certification requirements
Optional: The following certification are optional to practice as Cooks - Level 2 in B.C.
- Skilled Trades Certification - Professional Cook 2
Skilled Trades Certification - Professional Cook 2
Confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification.
To work as a level 2 cook in B.C., you may need a SkilledTradesBC certification demonstrating that you have completed the necessary technical training and work experience part of your apprenticeship program.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.