The Kitchener Waterloo area offers various chef training opportunities.
In the Kitchener Waterloo area of Ontario, Canada, there are three options for training as a chef/cook. Programs are varied in length and method of presentation. Each program has its own educational requirements for acceptance. The Ontario Ministry of Education recognizes the hours and work experience gained through each facility as part of the government's skilled apprenticeship and trades process.
St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centre
St. Louis Adult Education/Training Centre is run by the Waterloo Region District Separate School Board to assist students in the completion of their high school diplomas and to provide a foundation for training towards a career. The chef/cook course requires the successful completion of sixteen high school credits and that the applicant be eighteen years of age or older and have proof of Canadian citizenship or Landed Immigrant status. The course runs for 1260 hours with 28 weeks of in class instruction and 14 weeks workplace training. Classes run 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, while work placement times vary. Licensed childcare is available on-site at the centre's Weber St., Kitchener location.
Conestoga College
Conestoga College is a publicly funded college administered by the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Conestoga's Culinary Skills Chef Training (Co-op) Program is a one year Ontario College Certificate program provided at the college's Waterloo campus on University Ave. An Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent is required with Grade 12 college or university English and Grade 11 college or university Mathematics included. Mature students (over 19 years of age) may be admitted with the successful completion of Conestoga College's Preparatory Communications and Mathematics courses. The chef's course runs for a full year with one term in the classroom and one term in job placement.
Liaison College
Liaison College's Kitchener campus is located on Montgomery Road in Kitchener, Ontario. Liaison is a private career college that bills itself as Ontario's largest culinary arts and chef training facility. The college offers seven professional training programs from Cook Basic to Personal or Specialist Chef leading to diplomas in the culinary arts. Flexible scheduling allows the student to take courses at night or on weekends. Liaison teaches the culinary arts exclusively and boasts a 90 percent placement rate due to their connections within the restaurant industry. Courses can be completed in less than a year with a full time commitment to study.
Financial Considerations
Fees vary with each facility.
St. Louis Adult Learning Centre's chef training offers free tuition with a materials fee of $700 for a uniform, textbook and utensils. Fees to write challenge exams from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and University as part of the apprenticeship process, or Red Seal Certification for cross-Canada work are extra.
Conestoga College tuition is $2320 plus $477.20 co-op fees for the one year course. Graduates are eligible to write the Provincial Trade of Cook Certificate of Qualification exam at no added cost. Red Seal Certification is extra.
Liaison College asks prospective registrants to contact them regarding fees, as they vary with each of the seven courses available.
Other Considerations
Time is a major factor in deciding what course is best for the individual applicant. Conestoga College and St. Louis require all day, every day, attendance while Liaison offers evening classes to allow for daytime commitments elsewhere. St. Louis and Conestoga have classes beginning twice a year while Liaison provides staggered entry in its various campuses across southern Ontario if the applicant is willing to commute to class.
Tags: Conestoga College, culinary arts, Kitchener Waterloo, Liaison College, Louis Adult, Adult Learning