VCC - Professional Cook

The Professional Cook 1 program at Howe Sound Secondary School (HSS) is offered in collaboration with Vancouver Community College (VCC) and runs from January 29th to June 26th, 2025. Classes are held Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, and instruction is provided by Chef Gill from VCC.

Students in this program gain hands-on experience by preparing grab-and-go breakfast options and full lunch menus, which include salads, sandwiches, soups, entrées, and baked goods. The program also offers opportunities for catering school-based events, giving students additional practical experience. Participants are required to purchase a uniform and pay a registration fee to VCC, which is approximately $165 for the 2025 program year. Students also have the option to purchase a professional knife set in a travel case.

This successful VCC-HSS partnership has been running for 20 years, providing students with extensive employment opportunities upon completion. While the training prepares students to become Red-Seal Chefs, there is no obligation to follow that path. The program also serves as an introduction to post-secondary education in a collaborative environment, helping students develop valuable communication, problem-solving, and cooking skills. After completion, the technical training credentials are registered with SkilledTradesBC and can be used anytime in the future if a student chooses to return to the culinary field.

SD48 covers the tuition for the program, saving each student approximately $4,000, thanks to course funding and youth training grants from SkilledTradesBC.