College Certificate - Culinary Skills (1025C) (co-op) at Conestoga College - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-02-02

Program overview

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Program overview

Turn your passion into a profession with Conestoga's Culinary Skills Certificate. This one-year program is designed for high school graduates who aspire to work in a professional kitchen. The program combines classic culinary techniques with modern trends, providing students with hands-on experience and industry insights essential for success in the fast-paced food service sector. Students will engage in live-action demonstrations, lectures, and immersive kitchen practice, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. A key feature of this program is the four-month paid co-op placement, which connects students with employers, allowing them to gain valuable workplace experience and build a professional network.

Program structure

The Culinary Skills Certificate program at Conestoga College is structured to provide a well-rounded education in culinary arts. The program includes:

Program Length: 1 year (comprising 2 academic terms and 1 co-op term)
Delivery Mode: Hybrid
Co-op Placement: A four-month paid co-op placement is included, allowing students to gain practical experience in the industry.

This program is designed to equip students with essential skills and knowledge, preparing them for various roles in the culinary field. The combination of academic learning and practical experience ensures that graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce.

Featured Experiences

The Culinary Skills Certificate program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

Hands-on kitchen practice through immersive learning environments.
Live-action demonstrations that showcase culinary techniques.
Collaboration with peers to foster teamwork and communication skills.
A four-month paid co-op placement that provides real-world experience and networking opportunities.
Exposure to both classic and contemporary culinary techniques.

These experiences are designed to prepare students for the dynamic and evolving culinary industry, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to succeed.

Career Options

Graduates of the Culinary Skills Certificate program can pursue a variety of career paths in the culinary field. Here are some potential job options:

Line Cook: Responsible for preparing and cooking food in restaurants, hotels, or catering services, ensuring quality and presentation standards are met.
Prep Cook: Assists in food preparation, including chopping vegetables, marinating meats, and preparing sauces, while maintaining kitchen cleanliness.
Pastry Chef: Specializes in creating desserts, pastries, and baked goods, focusing on presentation and flavor.
Catering Assistant: Works with catering teams to prepare and serve food at events, ensuring customer satisfaction and adherence to dietary restrictions.
Kitchen Manager: Oversees kitchen operations, including staff management, inventory control, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

These roles provide a solid foundation for a successful career in the culinary arts, with opportunities for advancement into more specialized or managerial positions.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Conestoga College official website

Last updated on 2026-02-02

Program overview

Academic Requirements

To apply for the College Certificate - Culinary Skills (1025C) program at Conestoga College, applicants must meet the following academic requirements:

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with mature student status.

For details on the Mature Student definition, please refer to the college's resources.
Completion of Grade 12 compulsory English, C or U, or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1251), or equivalent.

For international students, particularly those from Vietnam and other Asian countries, the following requirements apply:

Canadian citizens and permanent residents with transcripts from outside Canada require a course-by-course credential evaluation. You can request this at a reduced fee through the college by completing the Assessment of International Credentials for Admissions and Credit Transfer online form, or through an approved provider such as ICAS or WES.
Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.
Applicants with transcripts from institutions where the language of instruction is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

Additionally, applicants should be aware of the following program-specific requirements:

To be eligible for a co-op work term, students must maintain a minimum 65% session weighted average, successfully complete the Co-op and Career Preparation course, and the Sanitation and Safety course.
Students must not have more than two failed or dropped courses during the term that occurs two terms prior to the work term.
Students must maintain academic eligibility standards to participate in a co-op work term and successfully complete the required co-op program prerequisites.

If you have any questions or need further clarification regarding the admission requirements, please feel free to contact LOA Portal's advisors for support.

Language Requirements

To apply for the College Certificate - Culinary Skills (1025C) program at Conestoga College, you must provide proof of English proficiency in one of the following ways:

6.0 IELTS Academic (with no band less than 5.5)
80 TOEFL (Effective January 2024, no individual skill less than 20)

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!