Cook Apprenticeship
Program Overview
Humber’s Cook Apprenticeship certificate program provides the fundamentals of menu planning, costing, butchery, garde manger and charcuterie, nutrition, baking, purchasing, and product management. We teach you about supervising kitchen staff in a balanced program of theory and practical classes to set you up for a successful career. The apprenticeship component allows you to study and work at the same time – earn while you learn.
Humber is home to the Ontario Cook Apprenticeship Training Centre, the largest training centre for cook apprentices in the province. The centre has been instrumental in the design of all of the province’s post-Red Seal cook apprentice curriculum. Humber’s apprenticeship curriculum is innovative while following the standards set by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).
Note: This program follows professional industry standards for decorum, uniform, hygiene and personal presentation. Practical courses, which take place in a lab, have strict uniform and attendance standards and policies that are mandatory for successful completion of the course.
Apprenticeships are not available to international applicants.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
Provide advanced culinary planning, preparation and presentation for a variety of food service environments using a range of classical and contemporary techniques
Apply basic and advanced food and bake science to food preparation to create a desired end product.
Contribute to and monitor adherence of others to the provision of a well-maintained kitchen environment and to the service of food and beverage products that are free from harmful bacteria or other contaminants, adhering to health, safety, sanitation and food handling regulations.
Ensure the safe operation of the kitchen and all aspects of food preparation to promote healthy work spaces, responsible kitchen management and efficient use of resources.
Create menus that reflect knowledge of nutrition and food ingredients, promote general health and well-being, respond to a range of nutritional needs and preferences and address modifications for special diets, food allergies and intolerances, as required.
Apply business principles and recognized industry costing and control practices to food service operations to manage and promote a fiscally responsible operation.
Apply knowledge of sustainability*, ethical and local food sourcing, and food security to food preparation and kitchen management, recognizing the potential impacts on food production, consumer choice and operations within the food service industry.
Select and use technology, including contemporary kitchen equipment, for food production and promotion.
Perform effectively as a member of a food and beverage preparation and service team and contribute to the success of a food-service operation by applying self-management and interpersonal skills.
Develop strategies for continuous personal and professional learning to ensure currency with and responsiveness to emerging culinary techniques, regulations, and practices in the food service industry.
Contribute to the development of marketing strategies that promote the successful operation of a food service business.
Contribute to the business management of a variety of food and beverage operations to foster an engaging work environment that reflects service excellence.
Uniform Orders
All students will need to purchase a uniform for this program. Place your order today by following the link below.
The Humber Experience
Is Apprenticeship Right for You?
There are many ways for passionate aspiring chefs to enter the fast-paced culinary industry. The opportunity to become an apprentice and "earn while you learn" is one of them.
Recently, chef and culinary instructor Michael Teune sat down with Restaurants Canada to discuss apprenticeships in the culinary industry and the benefits for aspiring chefs, restaurant employees, employers and the culinary industry as a whole.
Learn While You Earn
Working professionals can enroll in this Apprenticeship program and learn new culinary skills, earn a credential and reach higher goals, like earning their Red Seal Certification. A total of $4,000 in government grants are available to each Apprentice.
Humber and the Longo Faculty of Business hosted the Women Entering Non-Traditional Trades Conference
Your Career
The demand for passionate, well-trained chefs around the world is constant, and with more than 7,000 restaurants reflecting a wide variety of cultures and cuisines, Toronto is the ideal place to launch your culinary career.
The culinary skills you’ll gain at Humber will put you in high demand. Potential job locations include hotels, restaurants, clubs, resorts, hospitals, corporate settings and more.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll be inspired by the variety of establishments you can own. Food service is a constantly evolving industry that has never been more in the spotlight, and our cook apprenticeship program is your gateway.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Canadian Culinary Federation (CCF)
The program helps to prepare students to write the Red Seal Journeyman Cook exam. After one year post-Red Seal, an apprentice may challenge a practical exam for the Canadian Culinary Federation (CCF) designation, Certified Working Chef. After four to five years, graduates may enroll in the Certified Chef de Cuisine program, also offered at Humber under the regulation of the CCF.
World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS)
The program is recognized by the World Association of Chef's Societies (WACS) for meeting or exceeding the WACS standards of quality culinary education and has been awarded international recognition from WACS. This program is approved by WACS for Fast Track Certification for the Worldchefs Commis Chef Level.
Additional requirements may apply.
Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.
Related Programs
Cook Apprenticeship Program Video
Watch the video to see the overview of the Cook Apprenticeship program.
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
About the COIsNews Feed
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Tue, February 28, 2023
First-year Event Management diploma and postgraduate level students participated in an Event Industry Student Competition sponsored by Meeting Professionals International (MPI).
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On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
