Jan 28, 2026  
2021-2022 Academic Calendar 
    
2021-2022 Academic Calendar [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Professional Cook Direct Entry


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Program Description

The Professional Cook program follows ITA prescribed course curriculum for direct entry to Professional Cook levels 1, 2, or 3. 

Learners will perform all phases of kitchen activities including the preparation and presentation of vegetables, soups, sauces, meat, fish and poultry; cold kitchen items; desserts, baking, pastry; basic menu planning/costing as well as knowledge of safety, sanitation and food storage. Learners will also gain valuable knowledge of human and customer relations which will enable them to become leaders in their field. 

Level 1 starts learners in a fully supervised environment performing basic cooking and food preparation tasks. There is a standardized ITA exam upon completion of this level.

Learners will move to partially independent tasking in level 2, performing a variety of cooking and food preparation. There are standardized ITA exams upon completion of this level, accompanied by the work-based training hours necessary for ITA Level Certifications.

Learners complete their final level of study working under limited supervision and gain competency in the major techniques and principles of cooking, baking and other aspects of food preparation. Upon successful completion of the six-week level 3 component, students will be eligible to write the Inter-Provincial exam. Successful completion of this examination, along with required the practical and work-based hours, will grant the learner a Red Seal Journeyperson status which is globally recognized in this industry. For more information about Inter-Provincial Standard Endorsement (Red Seal) visit www.red-seal.ca.

Career Prospects


Professional Cooks work in a variety of settings including: camps, institutional kitchens, family restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, ferry boats, resorts, nursing homes, hospitals, catering operations, and airlines.

Details


Locations:


Dawson Creek Campus

Length:


180 hrs / level (6 weeks)

Fees:


Program fee type: Trades/Apprenticeship

Current Fee Schedule

Admission Prerequisites


Level 1: Eligibility as indicated by the ITA.

Level 2: Eligibility as indicated by the ITA.

Level 3: Successful completion of PCOI 201 or equivalent as indicated by the Industry Training Authority.

Post-Admission Requirements


Hold a valid Foodsafe Certificate.

Important Notes


  1. The program is not eligible for Canada Student Loans. 

  2. The program is affiliated with the Industry Training Authority, School District 59, 60, 81 and 87, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Go 2 (Industry training organization who monitors all hospitality type industry for the ITA)

  3. The information on this program page is a summary of the official Program Completion Guide approved by NLC’s Education Council. Download a PDF of the Level 1 Program Completion Guide , Level 2 Program Completion Guide , or Level 3 Program Completion Guide

APPLY NOW for the Cook Training program

Do you need more information?
Program Contact: Department

Program Instructor: Michael French

Credential


Training results are reported to the Industry Training Authority (ITA)

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