Culinary Skills
Program Overview
From the business side of hospitality, Humber’s Culinary Skills certificate program prepares you for a career as a professional chef. Gain theoretical and practical skills while learning in cutting-edge labs and real-world settings with the latest kitchen technology and equipment.
Many graduates of this one-year program continue on for another year and complete the Culinary Management diploma program or enter our Cook Apprenticeship program.
The curriculum for this program is similar to the first year of the Culinary Management program. This allows students to transition into the Culinary Management program after the first semester or at the end of the second semester with bridging courses. Alternatively, students are able to move into the Cook Apprenticeship program, provided they have an eligible employer.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
- Provide fundamental culinary preparation and presentation for a variety of food service environments using a range of classical and contemporary techniques.
- Apply basic 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 and the responsible, efficient use of resources.
- Support the development of menu options 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 fundamental business principles and recognized industry costing and control practices to food service operations to promote a fiscally responsible operation
Apply basic 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.
- 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.
Work Placement
Qualified students will complete a seven-week work placement in Semester 2. This unpaid work experience takes place in the kitchens of leading hotels or restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Humber Advantage
Humber is the home of the Canadian Centre of Culinary Arts & Science, Canada’s leading centre of excellence in culinary education, apprenticeship training and culinary research and development.
- Kitchen Lab Facilities
- On-Campus Restaurant Training Facility
- Wine Tasting and Demonstration Lab
Take a 360 Degree Tour of Our New Culinary Lab
For mobile and tablet users, open the video in the YouTube app. For optimal viewing experience use Firefox or Chrome. Currently Safari does not support 360 videos.
Placement Testimonial
Our Industry Partner, Woodbine Entertainment, is always happy to welcome student interns into their organization. Here's what they had to say about our students in their latest company newsletter:
"[The Culinary Management and Culinary Skills programs] have given us the ability to develop a talent pipeline and an opportunity to hire some amazing individuals.
The purpose of the internship is to provide the Culinary Arts students with an opportunity to work in an industry kitchen. The hands-on experience gives each student a greater insight into the day-to-day operation, the stress of real timelines, the importance of being punctual and a better idea of their future career."
The Humber Experience
The Humber Food Truck
Students have the opportunity to gain experience working on our Humber Food Truck.
Watch the video to see culinary student compete in the 2019 Nestlé Young Culinary Talents Competition.
Watch the video and see Humber and the Longo Faculty of Business host the Women Entering Non-Traditional Trades Conference.
Watch the video to find out more about the Longo Faculty of Business' learning garden containing local and sustainable foods.
Watch the video to see Humber students compete in the Nestle Professional Maggi & Minors Food Truck Challenge.
Study Abroad
Each year we offer a variety of experiential learning trip opportunities for students to study abroad. Our annual short duration experiential trips in May are approximately two weeks in length. These faculty-led study abroad trips are confirmed in the fall semester.
These trips vary each year and are subject to availability and eligibility requirements. Additional fees apply.
Your Career
Launch your career as a chef in the $60 billion Canadian foodservice industry with our intense and dynamic program.
Trained chefs are always in demand in locations such as:
- corporations worldwide
- golf clubs
- hotels
- resorts and stadiums
- restaurants
- retirement homes
- trains and cruise ships
From line cook to magazine test kitchens and airline headquarters, the diversity of venues for the chef’s art and science is unmatched. And if you’re among those who dream of owning your own restaurant or bar, this is where you start.
Train with world-class faculty, including multiple award-winning chefs, and follow in the footsteps of the many provincial and national competition award-winners and Olympians this program has produced.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
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.
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
Program Availability
News Feed
Hospitality & Tourism COIL Initiative Between Universidad Latina de Costa Rica and Humber College Students – A Collaborative Success!
Tue, May 31, 2022
Hospitality & Tourism Operations Management students embarked on a COIL initiative with Hospitality and Tourism students from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, fondly known as ULatina.
Humber Fashion Students Help Prep Tourism Students for Internships
Thu, April 28, 2022
Collaborating between programs is one of the biggest assets of teaching at Humber!
Hospitality Management Student Selected Into Unique Food Entrepreneurship Program
Wed, April 06, 2022
Kate Naumova, 3rd Semester Hospitality -Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management student has been accepted into the Chartwells and Venturepark Labs “Concept to Market Sprint” program.
No news at this time.
News Feed
Humber/Ningbo Project Updates
Tue, May 31, 2022
The Program marked its 26th Celebration of Success. The achievements of the last year for twenty-eight graduating students were celebrated along with several special Humber Guests.
WIL Centre Hosts Florence University of the Arts Information Session that Wows Students
Thu, April 28, 2022
Students from the Longo Faculty of Business participated in an information session hosted by the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Centre and the Florence University of the Arts (FUA).
WIL Placement Advisor Highlights Law Clerk and Paralegal Programs at the International Practice Management Association (IPMA) Annual Meeting
Thu, April 28, 2022
The Toronto Chapter of the International Practice Management Association (IPMA) held its annual meeting with colleges.
No news at this time.
News Feed
The Work-Integrated Learning Centre Welcomes Chef Michael Lam
Fri, April 02, 2021
Culinary and Baking Management students along with the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Centre co-hosted Ascari Restaurants Chef and Good Behaviour Ice Cream owner Michael Lam on March 4th
Business Chef Places First in Global Competition with Plant-Based Dish
Mon, January 04, 2021
Culinary Professor and Chef, Shonah Chalmers was recently announced the winner for her vegan dish at the Walnuts@Work competition held live on December 29th, 2020.
Humber Leads The Food Insecurity Project
Mon, October 26, 2020
Chefs John Placko and Keith Hoare have been working with a host of hospitality industry partners to donate meals to food banks and shelters.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
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.
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HOW TO APPLY
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
POST-ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
EQUIPMENT & DEVICE REQUIREMENTS
FEES & SCHOLARSHIPS
CONTACT US
Post-Admission Requirements
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Professional Industry Standards
Once enrolled in the program, you will follow 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 which are mandatory for successful completion of the course. It is mandatory to wear a Humber-issued chef uniform in practical lab classes in this program. Admittance to these classes is not permitted if you are not in uniform. The cost for the uniform has been added to your first semester tuition fees. In order for the uniform to be available for the first day of class, students must submit their size requirements via an online order form.
Equipment & Device Requirements
All Semesters
| Details and Specifications | Minimum Specifications | Recommended Specifications |
| Processor | Intel i5-8300H | Intel i7-9750H= or higher |
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| Memory | 8 GB of RAM | 32 GB of RAM |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD |
| Monitor | Laptop computer (not a notebook such as a Chromebook or a tablet) recently purchased; last 18 months | Laptop computer (not a notebook such as a Chromebook or a tablet) recently purchased; last 18 months |
| Other | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Built-in microphone and webcam | Wireless 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Built-in microphone and webcam, Built-in Ethernet port (strongly recommended), Long battery life (strongly recommended) |
Contact Information
James Bodanis, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 5177=
james.bodanis@humber.ca
Fees
The 2022-2023 fee for two semesters is:
- domestic: $5,770.26
- international: $16,394.00
Fees are subject to change.
Fees by Semester
Domestic Fees International FeesAdditional Costs
$100 – safety shoes; $525 – knife and tool kit; $300 – textbooks, manuals (for two semesters).
Scholarships
Humber Scholarships
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.
Humber Bursaries
Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.
External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships
Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.
Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships
Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.
Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways
Humber Pathways include:
- Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
- Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
How to Apply
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program. To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber's program pages or ontariocolleges.ca.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
