Cook - Assistant (Branch 1)
Cook (Branch 2)
ACA, Unrestricted Certified Trades
Descriptions:
Assistant Cooks prepare meals and perform many tasks in the kitchen, but are not in charge. Their tasks may include preparing complete breakfasts, salads, sandwiches, and vegetables, serving non-alcoholic beverages, carving meats, poultry and fish. They must also ensure that the kitchen is safe and sanitary at all times.
Cooks prepare, season, and cook foods such as soups, salads, meats, gravies, vegetables, desserts, sauces, and casseroles. They prepare complete meals, both single portion and buffet-style. They must have working knowledge of table service, weights and measures, and hygiene and equipment. They manage stock control, receiving, issuing, menu planning, food costing, and purchasing, and they must know how to prepare foods for special diets. Cooks also hire and train staff and apprentices.
Their work is done under pressure and around hot appliances, knives, and dangerous equipment such as grinders. Therefore, they must be very safety conscious.
Education, Training and Experience Required:
- grade 10 education or ministry-approved equivalent
- grade 10 students may apply to the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and gain work hours towards their overall apprenticeship
- recommended high school courses include: English, mathematics, hospitality and tourism
- to be successful, you should have good communication and problem-solving skills. You should be well organized, be able to maintain and ensure high work standards, and remain calm under pressure. You should enjoy researching, creating and experimenting with food. You must be able to work in an environment that can be hot and humid, enjoy working with your hands, and be able to work with numbers and perform calculations.
Cook – Assistant: How to get Trade Certification (Voluntary):
- complete a 1 ½ year apprenticeship program
- complete the terms of the Apprenticeship Contract to receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship
- pass the exam to receive your Certificate of Qualification
- there is NO Interprovincial (Red Seal) Trade Certification for branch 1
Cook: How to Get Trade Certification (Voluntary):
- complete a three year apprenticeship program
- complete the terms of the Apprenticeship Contract to receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship
- pass the exam to receive your Certificate of Qualification with journeyperson status
- smart move: get Interprovincial (Red Seal) Trade Certification so that you can work anywhere in Canada. It is also required if you intend to apprentice for Chef (see Chef for details)
Salary Expectations:
As an Asstistant Cook, salary would range from $8 to $11 per hour.
As a Cook, you can expect a salary of $10 to $34 per hour or more depending on your expertise