Cooks prepare a variety of foods, including short orders, and supervise kitchen workers. They may plan menus and specialize in ethnic cuisine or speciality dishes.

To be a cook, you usually must complete high school.

You need a three-year apprenticeship program for cooks, or a college or other program in cooking, or several years of commercial cooking experience.

Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces/territories.

Interprovincial trade certification (Red Seal) is also available to qualified cooks.

With additional experience and training, you may move up the ranks to a more senior position, such as chef.

Most recent entrants have a high school diploma, and almost 3 in 10 have a trade/vocational certificate or community college diploma.