What's Cooking?

It’s the food sector, particularly the area of food service! And that means that the industry needs more chefs and qualified food handlers.

According to Stats Canada, the food services and drinking places industry have edged ahead of the rest of the sectors as operating revenues reached $38.9 billion. Buoyed by the impressive results, food service contractors, and the special food services segment of the industry (comprised of contractors, social caterers and mobile food services) is showing the most growth and is hiring more qualified food industry staff.

The profile of Canadian and International students attending a culinary arts school in Canada varies - ranging from high school graduates, to adults with a professional designation. All are looking for a career or a career change; each with a love for cooking and/or baking.

Statistics also show that stress is attacking the workplace at a horrendous rate with over 3.5 million Canadians suffering from severe stress and more than six in 10 Canadians reporting that they want out of the jobs they are in.

Many professionals are looking for a new career where they can enjoy what they do and feel less stressed. Cooking and all of the careers associated with the industry are becoming more attractive to both Canadians and those new to the country.

If you are thinking about entering the workforce or changing careers, consider the foodservice industry! Statistics from Canada Employment Centres and the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservice Association agree with Stats Canada and show that the hospitality industry is growing rapidly – and employers can’t find the staff to fill positions.

The following are a just a few of the types of jobs that are in high demand right now:

Kitchen Helper – An entry-level kitchen position which can be obtained with little or no experience. This person will do tasks such as dishwashing, stocking shelves, preparing vegetables and cleaning. A good kitchen helper could be promoted to prep cook.

Prep Cook - This position will require minimal training (usually at a college or government funded facility). The prep cook will be responsible for getting the kitchen stations ready for cooking. It is important for the prep cook to know about safe food handling and practices. With some training, a prep cook could be promoted to cook status.

Cook – The cook is the person who prepares the food. Cooking requires skill, knowledge and training. The best cooks have a “cook’s license” or Red Seal. Cooks will know about sanitation, nutrition, safe food handling, cooking methods and ingredients. Cooks can be promoted to the position of Chef.

Chef – The Chef is the boss of the kitchen and oversees the other kitchen staff (the brigade). A Chef will have extensive training and experience. Tasks will include hiring and training staff, ordering food and kitchen supplies, creating menus, maintaining costs according to budget and overall kitchen management. The best chefs will have their “certified chef de cuisine” diploma and are in high demand (they also make a lot of money!)

The greatest feature about the foodservice industry is the ongoing demand for employees which makes the job market very good. Other perks include free meals, flexible schedules and growth potential. Some of the things to keep in mind are long hours, possible nights and weekend shifts and fast-paced environments.

For those with a more entrepreneurial spirit, the food related job market has never been better. As shows on the Food Network continue to educate the public on new trends in eating, the desire to get involved continues to grow and tempt people to try their hand at an exciting new venture.

Often, the people seeking an entrepreneurial career such as catering, personal chef, food writer or food photography are career change students. In fact, career change represents 60% of students attending Culinary Arts schools. Students with previous careers such as teachers, lawyers, nurses, accountants and others from the arts such as painters, florists and dancers all commence the professional programs with a love for cooking and/or baking.

It is truly amazing how the catering industry has really taken off, and with it - the number of catering requests that schools receive. The catering business is booming.

If you think a career in foodservice or hospitality in general is for you, and would like more information, please contact the Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cooks (CFCC), your local Canada Employment Centre (CEC) or Liaison College.

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