Become Cook

A Cook prepares and cooks food, ingredients and meals in a professional culinary environment. They are responsible for prepping ingredients, cooking various meals, assembling plates, and maintaining the efficiency and safety of the kitchen. It is a fast-paced job that requires culinary knowledge, hands-on skills, and attention to detail to prepare all types of meals in various commercial settings. They have to cook meals that taste good, meet customers' expectations, and make for an enjoyable experience for all.

An in-depth understanding of various skills and techniques to prepare all different types of food and meals as soon as they are ordered.
Proper time management as it is a very fast-paced work environment where tasks are expected to be completed as quickly and correctly as possible so the kitchen does not fall behind.
Attention to detail to ensure that recipes are executed correctly and all special requests involving orders, such as allergies and dietary restrictions, are followed to the letter.
A willingness to adapt to a changing work environment, as every day will differ regarding orders and specific customer expectations.
Teamwork, as a kitchen, is a high-pressure work environment that requires all team members to communicate and work together effectively at all times.

Food Preparation:
- Preparing ingredients for all meals, appetizers, snacks, and desserts on the menu.
- Chopping, cutting, and preparing ingredients so they can be cooked and added to a dish quickly.
Cooking:
- Cook and prepare different foods on a menu according to customers' orders.
- Use all kitchen equipment safely and correctly while following health guidelines to ensure customers receive orders and enjoy their food.
Clean-up and maintenance:
- The kitchen, prep stations, appliances, and tools must be cleaned after every shift to ensure cleanliness and safety.
- Tools and appliances need to be correctly maintained and serviced regularly.
Training, learning, and supervision:
- Experienced cooks need to train and supervise newer cooks so that they learn the skills to prepare orders correctly and adequately maintain a good kitchen.
- Cooks can continue to learn to use new techniques and tools to create and enhance the dining experience.
Menu planning:
- Plan the menu utilizing seasonal ingredients to create new and fresh dishes that will attract customers.
- Work with vendors and suppliers to plan menu changes based on availability and customer demand.

To become a Cook in Canada, typical requirements can vary slightly from province to province. A standard path is to receive culinary training at a vocational school like George Brown College. Completing such a program will certify that a student has learned the fundamentals of cooking and how to function in a professional kitchen environment. The next step is an apprenticeship with an experienced cook who will provide hands-on experience in different restaurant environments. Aspiring cooks may only have to demonstrate aptitude with the necessary kitchen skills for smaller, local restaurants. Restaurants will require staff to pass a basic health and food safety course. Registering with a provincial regulatory body, such as Skills Trade Ontario, may also be required.

Skilled and qualified Cooks are in demand across a variety of industries. These include the restaurant sector in all types and sizes of establishments, for catering companies who work private events such as weddings, the hospitality sector in hotels, the healthcare sector for patient and visitor cafeterias at hospitals, and the education sector to prepare on-site meals for students and teachers.

In Canada, the career prospects for cooks are relatively strong. Despite specific difficulties facing the restaurant industry, there will always be a demand for good meals prepared well by experienced cooks. Job Bank Canada predicts strong competition for cooks, with 73,300 available roles by 2031 with 95,500 job seekers looking to fill them. Aspiring cooks need to hone their skills and be open to continued learning and adaptation to stay innovative in an industry that continues to change.

Cooks can be employed in a variety of environments, such as: