ApprenticeSearch.com | Cook Assistant (415B)

Assistant Cooks prepare, cook, and assemble a wide variety of foods including short-order grill, breakfasts, sandwiches, simple salads, vegetables, and desserts. They may carve cooked meats, poultry, fish, and game. Assistant Cooks must also have strong working knowledge of table service, sanitation, soups, sauces, and more.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

Preparing and cooking individual dishes or complete meals; assisting the Cook or Chef
Preparing soups, sauces, salads, and dressings
Helping plan menus, determine size of food portions, and estimate food requirements/costs
Communicating effectively with suppliers
Performing job duties with care and creativity
Maintaining personal cleanliness

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

Grade 10 legal minimum, though secondary school diploma is often required by employers
High school students may benefit from co-op or enrolment in OYAP
While not mandatory, completion of 2,640-hour apprenticeship, including on-the-job and in-school training, is recommended

What's Your Future as a Cook Assistant (415B)?

May work shifts, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays
Often under pressure to produce meals quickly; exposed to sharp knives, hot appliances, and dangerous equipment; cuts and burns are occupational hazard
May progress to Cook, Chef, of hospitality management position
Employers include institutions, restaurants, catering companies, hospitals, health and social services firms, and recreational chains or resorts

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage starts at minimum wage and increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified Assistant Cooks can earn $30,000-$45,000 annually, depending on employer.

Self-Rating

Cook Assistant (415B)

Ask Yourself:	Yes	No
Do you like to create and experiment with new ideas for recipes?
Do you have good reading, writing, mathematical, measuring and problem-solving skills?
Can you work under pressure? Can you make quick decisions?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Are you able to stand or sit for long periods of time?
Are you detail-oriented? Do you have the ability to work closely with others? Do you have good listening skills?
Are you an organized person? Do you enjoy working with your hands and different equipment?

If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Cook Assistant (415B) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

Baker
Chef
Restaurant Manager/Owner Operator
Instructor

Related Trades

What does a Cook Assistant (415B) do?

Baker (423A)

Institutional Cook (415D)

Chef (415C)