What does a Assistant Cook (415B) do?

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 Assistant Cook (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 workers earn an average of $16.00-$22.50 per hour. 

Self-Rating

Assistant Cook (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 an Assistant Cook (415B) may be for you!

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

  • Baker
  • Chef
  • Restaurant Manager/Owner Operator
  • Instructor

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