Variant of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0 for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

63200 - Cooks

Cooks prepare and cook a wide variety of foods. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other health care institutions, central food commissaries, educational institutions and other establishments. Cooks are also employed aboard ships and at construction and logging campsites. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

  • Illustrative example(s)

    • apprentice cook
    • cook
    • dietary cook
    • first cook
    • grill cook
    • hospital cook
    • institutional cook
    • journeyman/woman cook
    • licensed cook
    • line cook
    • second cook
    • short order cook

    All examples

  • Exclusion(s)

    • Chefs (See 62200 Chefs)
    • Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations (See 65201 Food counter attendants, kitchen helpers and related support occupations)
  • Main duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:

    • Prepare and cook complete meals or individual dishes and foods
    • Prepare and cook special meals for patients as instructed by dietitian or chef
    • Schedule and supervise kitchen helpers
    • Oversee kitchen operations
    • Maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment
    • May set up and oversee buffets
    • May clean kitchen and work area
    • May plan menus, determine size of food portions, estimate food requirements and costs, and monitor and order supplies
    • May hire and train kitchen staff.
  • Employment requirements

    • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
    • Completion of a three-year apprenticeship program for cooks
      or
      completion of college or other program in cooking or food safety
      or
      several years of commercial cooking experience may be required.
    • Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories.
    • Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified cooks upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
  • Additional information

    • The Red Seal endorsement allows for interprovincial mobility.
    • There is mobility among the various types of cooks in this group.
    • Progression to supervisory or more senior positions, such as chef, is possible with experience and training.
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