Program Length
- 1 Year
Credential
- Certificate
Options
- Apprenticeship
- Co-op
Location Offered
- Cowichan
- Nanaimo
Cook up a five-star career in the culinary arts
Do you want a career creating delicious food that brings people together? With a Culinary Arts certificate, you can accelerate your journey to the top tiers of the culinary world.
At VIU you learn in a modern, professional kitchen, training with top chefs who are dedicated to your success. You’ll also receive sought-after training in Japanese cooking. And you have the option to take part in field school in France, Italy or Belize.
Gain real-world experience
We offer more hands-on experience than many other culinary schools. You gain experience in our professional kitchens, learning the high-volume cooking skills employers look for. And you practice new skills frequently to ensure you retain what you’ve learned.
The program also includes a 10-week paid work-experience placement. You earn hours toward Red Seal endorsement and put your new skills to the test.
Culinary career options
A culinary career can take you all around the world. Well-trained chefs and cooks are in high demand everywhere. There are career options that take you out of the kitchen too. You can be a food critic, food stylist or a sales rep in the restaurant industry.
The Culinary Arts Certificate Program
The Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island (CIVI), at VIU provides students with Certificate and Diploma program options that provide students with culinary training and management skills, giving them the leading edge to advancement in the culinary profession.
The Culinary Arts Certificate is designed to train students for a career in professional cooking, including the fundamentals of food preparation in a modern industrial kitchen setting. The full program consists of 28-week Professional Cook 1 (PC1), 14-week Professional Cook 2 (PC2), and a 10-week (300 hours) paid work experience.
As a part of the program, students study Japanese cuisine and obtain a Bronze Certification in Japanese Cooking Skills through the CIVI’s affiliation with the Government of Japan. The Bronze Certificate is recognized world-wide and is a valuable addition to our graduates’ resumes.
Students begin the Culinary Arts Certificate program by spending three weeks in our state of the art food lab, focusing on learning basic cooking skills and good culinary habits. Students then move to the main kitchen, rotating through five separate sections. Students will prepare breakfast, vegetables, starches, and proteins, as well as study cold kitchen, pastry, and meat cutting. Food produced by the students will be served in the VIU cafeterias, VIU Discovery Room, and other affiliated restaurants.
Apprenticeship and the Culinary Program
Upon entering the program, students are registered with SkilledTradesBC as Professional Cook 1 apprentices, allowing them to accrue apprentice hours while gaining technical training.
After 28 weeks of study, and having successfully passed the PC1 program requirements, students may write the SkilledTradesBC Professional Cook 1 Apprentice Practical and Theory exams. After completion of the additional on-campus PC2 training, students participate in a paid work experience (300 hours), where they accrue industry experience and additional work-based training hours. After completion of the full certificate program (PC1, PC2, and work experience), students may write the SkilledTradesBC Professional Cook 2 Apprentice Practical and Theory exams.
For more information, see the VIU Culinary Programs website and the VIU Apprenticeship page.
Culinary Arts Certificate
| Professional Cook 1 (28-weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| COOK 100T - (Orientation and Evaluation) | 3.0 |
| COOK 102T - (Breakfast and Meat Cutting - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 104T - (Garde-Manger, Vegetables and Starches 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 108T - (Stocks, Soups, Protein Cookery 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 112T - (A la Carte 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.0 |
| COOK 119T - (Pastries and Desserts 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| Professional Cook 2 (14-weeks) | |
| COOK 110T - (Meat Cutting 2) | 1.5 |
| COOK 115T - (A la Carte 2 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 117T - (Garde-Manger, Vegetables and Starches 2 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 106T - (Pastries and Desserts 2 - Theory & Practical) | 1.5 |
| COOK 125T - (Career Prep and Work Experience) | 6 |
Total Credits | 36 |
Further Studies
Professional Cook 1 (PC1)
- 28-Week Professional Cook 1 Certificate (20 credits)
- Offered at the Nanaimo and Cowichan Campuses
- Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
- Apply for Admission
VIU also offers a Culinary Management Diploma, Hospitality Management Degree and a Wine Business Certificate.
The Professional Cook 1 (PC1) Program (Nanaimo and Cowichan Campuses)
This 28-week program is designed to train students for a career in professional cooking, including the fundamentals of food preparation in a modern industrial kitchen setting. Graduates can then apply to take the 14 week PC2 remainder of the Culinary Arts Certificate Program.
Apprenticeship and the Culinary Program
All students are sponsored as Professional Cook apprentices under the auspices of SkilledTradesBC while enrolled at the Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island. This allows learners to log apprentice hours while training within the culinary program. After 28 weeks of study, and having successfully passed the Certificate program requirements, students will write the SkilledTradesBC Professional Cook 1 Apprentice Practical and Theory exams. Upon successful completion of these exams, the second half of the Certificate program, and completion of the co-op, students can attempt their SkilledTradesBC Cook 2 apprentice practical and theory exams.
Learn more about VIU Culinary Programs and VIU Apprenticeships.
Culinary Arts Certificate
After completing the Professional Cook 1 (PC1) program students have the option to apply to complete an additional 14-weeks of training (Professional Cook 2) and a co-operative work term to receive a Culinary Arts Certificate. See the Admission Requirements for information about how to apply to the Culinary Arts Certificate.
Admission Requirements - Professional Cook 1
- Trades General Admission Requirements apply
- Mature students without Grade 12 will be required to complete an assessment test
- Interview may be required
- Submission of copy of Foodsafe Level 1 certificate
Program Outline
| Professional Cook 1 (28-weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| COOK 100T - (Orientation and Evaluation) | 3.0 |
| COOK 102T - (Breakfast and Meat Cutting - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 104T - (Garde-Manger, Vegetables and Starches 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 108T - (Stocks, Soups, Protein Cookery 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 112T - (A la Carte 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.0 |
| COOK 119T - (Pastries and Desserts 1 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
Total Credits | 20 |
All program courses must be successfully completed before certificates will be issued.
Professional Cook 2 (PC2)
- 14-Week Professional Cook 2 Certificate (10 credits)
- Offered at the Nanaimo and Cowichan Campuses
- Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
- Apply for Admission
VIU also offers a Culinary Management Diploma, Hospitality Management Degree and a Wine Business Certificate.
The Professional Cook 2 (PC2) Program
After completing the Professional Cook 1 (PC1) program students have the option to apply to the Nanaimo and Cowichan campuses to complete an additional 14-weeks of training (Professional Cook 2 or PC2) and receive the Culinary Arts Certificate. See the Admission Requirements for information about how to apply to the Culinary Arts Certificate.
Admission Requirements - Professional Cook 2
Professional Cook 2 (PC2) is a 14-week program for students who have completed the Professional Cook 1 certificate or equivalent.
- Completion of VIU's Professional Cook 1 or ACE-IT Cook Training or PC1 which has been certified by SkilledTradesBC or other cross country equivalent
- See also Trades general admission requirements
- Submission of copy of Foodsafe Level 1 certificate
Program Outline
| Professional Cook 2 (14-weeks) | Credits |
|---|---|
| COOK 110T - (Meat Cutting 2) | 1.5 |
| COOK 115T - (A la Carte 2 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 117T - (Garde-Manger, Vegetables and Starches 2 - Theory & Practical) | 3.5 |
| COOK 106T - (Pastries and Desserts 2 - Theory & Practical) | 1.5 |
Total Credits | 10 |
All program courses must be successfully completed before certificates will be issued.
- Grade 12, or equivalent or mature student status
- Mature students without Grade 12 will be required to complete an assessment test
- Minimum 17 years of age
- Interview may be required
- Submission of copy of Foodsafe Level 1 certificate
- See also Trades general admission requirements
Culinary students are in demand for a wide variety of employment opportunities. All students in the Culinary Arts Certificate program participate in a Co-op paid work practicum. Employers regularly contact VIU's chef instructors when employment opportunities arise. See employer testimonials. We are proud of the achievements of our grads and alumni.
See the Departmental web site for more information: VIU Culinary Programs website.
Co-operative Education
Under the co-operative education format, the paid co-operative education experiences are integrated into the total curriculum. Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island students are employed and supervised in a Red Seal-trained kitchen. Hours worked in their co-op are counted towards their apprenticeship. Culinary students will benefit from the co-operative education experience by:
- relating academic study more effectively to the field of practice;
- developing a clearer career focus;
- gaining valuable practical experience and apprentice hours;
- being able to finance a larger portion of their education
Co-operative placements are typically from May to October. Access to co-operative education placements is based on student's GPA and their willingness to work as a team member with faculty and co-operative education staff to find an appropriate placement. Students in co-operative placement are assessed tuition and Students' Union fees - see program fees for correct fee information.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees - Culinary Arts Certificate (includes PC1, PC2, and Career Prep Work Experience) Nanaimo Campus | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (12 months x $499.20 per month) | 5,990.40 |
| Lab Fee - Professional Cook 1 | 615.58 |
| Lab Fee - Professional Cook 2 | 280.37 |
| Student Activity fee (12 months x $19.97 per month) | 239.64 |
| Student Services fee (12 months x $22.05 per month) | 264.60 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $27.60 per month) | 331.20 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Total | 8,006.79 |
* The Professional Cook 2 training is for students who have already completed the Professional Cook 1 certificate elsewhere and are applying to the Nanaimo campus to complete the Culinary Arts Certificate.
** This fee is not included in the regular culinary arts program fees.
Additional fees apply for textbooks, supplies, laundry expenses, etc. There are also fees of approximately $875 for tools and knives.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
International Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees - Culinary Arts Certificate (includes PC1, PC2, and Career Prep Work Experience) Nanaimo Campus | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (12 months x $2399.31 per month) | 28,791.72 |
| Lab Fee - Professional Cook 1 | 615.58 |
| Lab Fee - Professional Cook 2 | 280.37 |
| Student Activity fee (12 months x $19.97 per month) | 239.64 |
| Student Services fee (12 months x $22.05 per month) | 264.60 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (12 months x $27.60 per month) | 331.20 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Total | 30,808.11 |
* The Professional Cook 2 training is for students who have already completed the Professional Cook 1 certificate elsewhere and are applying to the Nanaimo campus to complete the Culinary Arts Certificate.
** This fee is not included in the regular culinary arts program fees.
Additional fees apply for textbooks, supplies, laundry expenses, etc. There are also fees of approximately $875 for tools and knives.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | Certificate (Professional Cook I and II) | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$45.16
Testing Required:
Yes
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Helene Viau Email: Helene.Viau@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Buddy Wolfe Email: Buddy.Wolfe@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
Documents required to meet admission should be submitted as soon as possible and no later than August 1, 2025. Any questions, contact Helene.Viau@viu.ca.
Comments:
Vancouver Island University’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology is asking applicants to complete the assessment test as a self-assessment that you take on your own. This arrangement will be in place until such time as we are again able to offer it on campus or in a secure alternate delivery format. For further information, please contact Helene.Viau@viu.ca. |
|||
| Ongoing | Cowichan | Certificate (Professional Cook I and II) | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Culinary Arts Certificate program has one intake each Fall.
Information Session:
Culinary Arts information session
Application Fee:
45.16
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Shirley McGregor Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Shirley.McGregor@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Buddy Wolfe Phone: 250.740.6137 Email: Buddy.Wolfe@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
Applicant without high school graduation will be required to complete an assessment test.
Comments:
Learn more about the Cowichan Culinary Arts Certificate Program. |
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Sign up for more information about this program
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.
Amanda Rizzo
“I have learned during my Culinary program that there are a lot more ways to communicate your passion to others besides just talking. Food is a wonderful way to connect with people and create unique experiences for them to enjoy.”