About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Certificate
  • Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Code: 0454 P0454
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
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Overview

Are you looking to give your culinary skills and creativity a boost to pursue a rewarding career in culinary arts?

As a Culinary Skills graduate you have the culinary confidence and competence needed to work side by side with cooks and Chefs in professional kitchens and food service environments.

Highlights
  • The School of Culinary Arts at Niagara College is renowned for its outstanding reputation with graduates, employers and industry partners.

  • Unmatched hands-on learning environment with leading-edge facilities and world-class chef-faculty.

  • Industry and community engagement through not-for-profit and catered events, recipe competitions, and industry research and innovation.

  • Upon successful completion, enhance your baking skills by applying to NC’s Baking and Pastry Arts program.

Career Opportunities
  • Chef
  • Cook
  • Line cook
  • Sous chef
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Courses

Term one (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
CULN1121 Introduction to Food Principles 3
MATH1080 Mathematics 3
NUTN1175 Nutrition 3
CULN1148 Garde Manger I 3
CULN1145 Culinary Techniques I - Intro to A La Carte Cooking 3
CULN1150 Culinary Essentials 3
Term two (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
ENGL1098 Language and Communications 3
CULN1221 Understanding Quality Ingredients 3
CULN1320 Culinary Cost Control 3
CULN1248 Garde Manger II - Advanced Garde Manger and Food Service Styles 3
CULN1245 Culinary Techniques II - Advanced A La Carte 3
BAKG1110 Baking Essentials 3
Learning Outcomes Term: 1254
  1. Provide fundamental culinary preparation and presentation for a variety of food service environments using a range of classical and contemporary techniques.

  2. Apply basic food and bake science to food preparation to create a desired end product.

  3. Contribute to and monitor adherence of others to the provisions of a well-maintained kitchen environment and to the service of food and beverage products that are free from harmful bacteria or other contaminants, adhering to health, safety, sanitation and food handling regulations.

  4. Ensure the safe operation of the kitchen and all aspects of food preparation to promote healthy work spaces and the responsible, efficient use of resources.

  5. Support the development of menu options that reflect knowledge of nutrition and food ingredients, promote general health and well-being, respond to a range of nutritional needs and preferences, and address modifications for special diets, food allergies and intolerances, as required.

  6. Apply fundamental business principles and recognized industry costing and control practices to food service operations to promote a fiscally responsible operation.

  7. Apply basic knowledge of sustainability, ethical and local food sourcing, and food security to food preparation and kitchen management, recognizing the potential impacts on food production, consumer choice and operations within the food service industry.

  8. Use technology, including contemporary kitchen equipment, for food production and promotion.

  9. Perform effectively as a member of a food and beverage preparation and service team and contribute to the success of a food-service operation by applying self-management and interpersonal skills.

  10. Develop strategies for continuous personal and professional learning to ensure currency with and responsiveness to emerging culinary techniques, regulations, and practices in the food service industry.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C), (U), or (E), or equivalent
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:

These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.

  • Hospitality and/or Tourism – any Grade 11 or 12 course
  • Information Technology Applications in Business – Grade 11 (O)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Culinary Skills program below.

  • NC Pathway
    Advanced Standing in:
    Niagara College Culinary Management (Co-op)
  • From NC to
    Culinary Arts Academy Switzerland Bachelor of International Business in Culinary Arts Switzerland
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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I do believe Niagara College is now the best cooking school in the country. The perfect recipe for success is present. You’ve got the campus, facility, curriculum, students and the region itself. Every one of those five elements hits the mark perfectly.

Celebrity Chef Michael Smith
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