Culinary Arts Certificate

The Culinary Arts Certificate is for students with a passion for a career in the Restaurant, Food Service and Hospitality Industry and its wide variety of options. This 50 week (1,500 hour) program provides the fundamental knowledge needed for successful employment as a cook in one of the many areas of food service. This is an experiential program with emphasis on food preparation and presentation as well as basic service techniques. Located at the Kelowna campus kitchens and Infusions Restaurant the program mirrors a realistic training environment within the expected industry time­frame.

Apprenticeship technical training credit for Professional Cook Level 1 and Level 2 and 600 work based hours for Level 1 and 240 work based hours for Level 2 will be granted by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) upon successful completion of this program. Students will receive credit for Foodsafe Level 1. Apprenticeship practical training credit will also be granted by the Industry Training Authority as a result of prior practical experience.

Students must provide proof of completion of the co-op or other 400 work-based hours and successfully complete all Level 1 components prior to advancing to Level 2 components of the program. Upon successful completion of Level 1 and Level 2 requirements, students are eligible to challenge the Provincial Cook Certificate of Qualification examinations for Level 1 and Level 2.

Students wishing to pursue the Professional Cook Red Seal endorsement must provide proof of a total of 5,000 work-based hours and complete Level 3 technical training.

Admission Requirements

• B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.

• English 10 with minimum 50% or alternatives.

• Math requirement:Students graduating from secondary school in or prior to 2012: Mathematics 10 or an equivalent Intermediate Level Adult Basic Education Mathematics course, or an ABLE mathematics score of at least 50%. Students entering Grade 10 in or after 2010 and/or completing the new mathematics curriculum: One of: Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10, Workplace Mathematics 10, Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus 10, or an equivalent Intermediate Level Adult Basic Education Mathematics course, or an ABLE mathematics score of at least 50%.

Okanagan College reserves the right to request a certificate of health and fitness if deemed necessary.

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all courses in the program with a minimum grade of 70% in each. Students must provide proof of completion of 400 work-based training hours.

Components

Prior Learning Assessment

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) allows adults with considerable life and work experience to verify that they possess the skills and/or knowledge required in some university/college level courses and receive credit for those courses.

Applicants to the Culinary Arts Certificate with Foodsafe Basic I and one year professional cooking experience can be assessed through a written exam and practical assessment and if successful, may proceed to the second level of training. It is highly recommended that applicants study the course text before proceeding with their application. For an application, fee schedule and more information on Prior Learning Assessment, please contact Chef Reinhard Foerderer, Culinary Arts Department at (250) 762-5445 (extension 4549) rfoerderer@okanagan.bc.ca.