There is no ‘right way’ to begin your culinary career; you can choose to begin your learning while in high school or decide to wait for college or culinary school.
Alternatively, you may elect to spend time working in the profession before receiving any formal training or challenge the exams. But any way you slice it, the end result will be the same: a rewarding career in one of the fastest growing and most dynamic industries in British Columbia.
The Basics
Anyone who wants to obtain certification as a Red Seal Cook (which is the highest level of government certified endorsement available) by way of an apprenticeship, must complete three levels of training and certification: Professional Cook 1, Professional Cook 2 and Professional Cook 3. Each level of the apprenticeship is comprised of a portion of classroom study and a hands-on component, followed by a practical and written assessment. In order to progress, apprentices must complete the coursework, work hours and the Professional Cook 1 practical and written assessments before going on to Professional Cook 2 and so forth.
There is also a challenge option for those with industry experience.
Four Paths: One Result
High School:
If you’re a high school student passionate about cooking, you might wish to consider signing up for ACE IT and Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA). Both ACE IT and SSA allow you to obtain credits towards your high school diploma, and credits towards your Professional Cook 1 certification at the same time. By completing the classroom study component (ACE IT), and a certain portion of the hands-on hours through your SSA program, you’ll just need to complete the remaining hours required in the practical component in order to be able to receive your Professional Cook 1 certificate.
Your school can act as your sponsor should you choose to complete the hours part-time during your studies, or you can transfer sponsorship to an employer after you have graduated (for more information on ACE IT and SSA, visit the ITA website). You can then go on directly to Professional Cook 2 at one of the accredited schools, or you can choose to use your new found skills to work in the industry in order to gain more experience.
College or Culinary School:
Whether you are a mature worker or a high school grad, you may decide that post secondary study is the best way to gain experience in the culinary field. If you choose this path, you will spend the first portion of the program on course work and practical skills related to Professional Cook 1, complete the practical and written assessments and your first certification. You may then move on to the second portion of the program, which will involve course work and practical training related to Professional Cook 2. Your school will provide you with the bulk of the hands-on hours you require to complete the practical portion of your training; in addition, any hours you work in industry as a cook during your program will count toward the total number of on-the-job hours you require for each certification. Any hours you have previously worked in industry as a cook may also be applied, pending your sponsor’s approval. Upon completion of Professional Cook 2, you’ll be ready to tackle the final stage of training needed to become Red Seal certified.
Professional Cook 3 cannot be obtained exclusively with an educational institution as your sponsor. In order to complete this final level of certification, an employer must commit to sponsoring your apprenticeship. While there is still a small classroom component that must be completed, the principal portion of Professional Cook 3 is practical. After you have completed the requisite number of on-the-job hours, under the guidance of a recognized employer, you will be ready to complete the final assessment, including the Interprovincial Red Seal exam and obtain your certification as a Professional Cook 3 and a Red Seal Cook.
Work First – Earn as You Learn
Many Red Seal Cooks have gained their certification by "earning while they learn," which is the traditional way through apprenticeship. By working with an employer who is willing to sponsor your apprenticeship, you can gain each level of certification by participating in a small period of classroom study, followed by a period of on-the-job hours. After each completed training and work period, you will be eligible to receive each Professional Cook certification. By choosing this particular path, you will be able to earn a living while simultaneously working toward your designation as a Red Seal Cook.
Challenge Option – For Those with Industry Experience
There is another option to obtain Red Seal certification if you’ve spent years working in the industry and have never completed any formal training. You must first provide evidence that through your workplace experience you have acquired knowledge covering the scope of the trade and have completed the requisite number of hours, and then you will be eligible to challenge any of the credentials. Depending on your amount of experience, you may challenge Professional Cook 1 or 2 certifications individually and continue with one of the education streams, or challenge the Red Seal directly. Upon successful completion of your Inter Provincial Red Seal exam you will be granted both Professional Cook 3 certification and your Red Seal.
The Red Seal and Beyond
While the Red Seal is the highest government endorsed certification, there are many ways for culinary industry professionals to advance their careers. Perhaps the most notable of these is through the Canadian Culinary Federation, which offers certification as a Chef de Cuisine. Those who hold this status are among an elite group who are considered to have achieved the highest level of expertise in the Canadian culinary industry.
