This two-year Ontario College Diploma program is designed to train commercial cooks with an emphasis on advanced culinary skills, managerial training, and hands-on experience. Cooking has become an art, food preparation is more specialized, and the industry is demanding; therefore, candidates must be prepared to work long hours, be in good health, and be physically fit. To acquaint students with the working conditions that they can expect after graduation, some hands-on classes are held during the evenings or weekends in the College's Restaurant International.

The program is divided into four levels. Students study food preparation, baking techniques, the control of food costs, computer applications, sanitation and safety procedures, nutrition and menu planning, management applications, and communication skills. In the last two levels, students focus on haute cuisine and kitchen management skills.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Are well-organized, creative, and work well under tight time constraints.
• Want to own a restaurant or use their entrepreneurial spirit to manage an existing business.
• Can work independently and contribute to a team workplace.