Chefs (NOC 6321)

If you are interested in working as a Chef in Canada, you will be pleased to know that the job outlook for your occupation in Canada is extremely positive.

You can use this overview of the Canadian employment prospects in your field to start planning your immigration and settlement in Canada.

Why your job prospects in Canada are excellent:

• Chefs are in high demand across the country.
• Canada has become a very multicultural society, and this has increased the demand for chefs specializing in foreign cuisine.
• Culinary programs at the community colleges say their graduates are not having trouble finding work, and get to pick from multiple employment offers.
• European-trained chefs and such specialists as saucieres and great pastry chefs are in short supply in Canada.
• According to the Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cooks, the best trained chefs and cooks are in very high demand.
• An aging demographic is expected to increase the need for chefs and cooks in establishments that cater to seniors such as retirement homes.

Some areas of Canada where your occupation is in demand:

Vancouver Island and Victoria, British Columbia:

• Demand is very good for chefs in this region due to tourism, and the large size of the food services industry.
• Prospects are especially good for chefs with training and experience in ethnic, regional, healthy and vegetarian cuisines.

Manitoba:

• Employment prospects for chefs are expected to be good through 2013, and a proportionally larger share of jobs for chefs is located in Winnipeg.
• Opportunities are particularly good in family restaurants and specialty foods services.
• Prospects continue to be very for chefs with training and experience in ethnic or regional cuisines.
• Professional Associations and Unions include: Canadian Culinary Federation, Hotel & Restaurant Local, and Manitoba Restaurant and Food Services Association.

Saskatoon and Rural West, Saskatchewan:

• A growing regional tourism industry has resulted in strong demand for chefs.
• Saskatoon's growing number of establishments specializing in exotic, ethnic, regional, health or vegetarian cuisine has created new opportunities for chefs with specific skills.

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia:

• Employment prospects for Chefs in Nova Scotia in general are expected to be good over the next 5 years.
• There is a shortage of supply of chefs in Cape Breton particularly during the busy summer tourist season, and many resorts are in need of specialty chefs.

Halifax, Nova Scotia:

• Employment prospects for qualified Chefs are considered to be very good in Halifax.
• The demand for Chefs specializing in foreign cooking, sous-chefs, and pastry chefs is particularly high.

Prince Edward Island:

• Employment prospects for chefs in PEI are very good.
• Employers indicate there is a shortage of qualified chefs on the Island, and this is particularly problematic in the extremely busy summer months when many more restaurants are operating for tourists.
• More opportunities are available in the Charlottetown area due to the large number of restaurants located in the city, but there are also many resorts outside the city that need qualified chefs.

Muskoka Region, Ontario:

• Job opportunities in the local area for chefs are expected to be very good for at least the next year.
• Population growth, retirements and continued growth in the Muskoka tourism sector will be the primary factors for growth.
• The fierce competition among higher-end restaurants in the area is increasing the demand for specialized chefs as they compete against each other as well as with resorts.
• There is less of a seasonality aspect for Chef jobs in this area since most of the resorts in the region now operate on a year-round basis.
• Independent living complexes for seniors and retirees are growing, which drive the need for catering and ready-made fresh meals which in turn drive the need for convenience.
• More travel by Ontarians and a more multicultural society have increased the demand for chefs specializing in foreign cuisine.

Hamilton, Niagara, Brantford Area, Ontario:

• According to a recent census this is a growing occupation in all regions of the Hamilton, Niagara, Brantford area, having expanded by almost 40 per cent in recent years.
• The majority of growth was in the Hamilton area where a large number of women are now practicing the trade and in Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk where the number of workers has more than doubled.
• There are many fine restaurants and major developments planned for the area that will continue to provide employment opportunities.
• The Niagara Region is a major tourist area and will continue to attract people from around the world.
• Qualified Chefs can expect to have no problem finding employment.

Kingston, Ontario:

• Employment prospects for chefs in the Kingston area are expected to be good for the next few years.
• There is somewhat of a seasonal aspect to this occupation in this area, with opportunities increasing in the spring and fall.

Duties for Chefs

Chefs plan and direct food preparation and cooking activities and prepare and cook meals and specialty foods. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other health care institutions, central food commissaries, clubs and similar establishments, and on ships.

Description of Main Duties:

Executive chefs perform some or all of the following duties:

• Plan and direct food preparation and cooking activities of several restaurants in an establishment, restaurant chains, hospitals or other establishments with food services
• Consult with clients regarding weddings, banquets and specialty functions
• Plan menus and ensure food meets quality standards
• Estimate food requirements and may estimate food and labour costs
• Supervise activities of sous-chefs, specialist chefs, chefs and cooks
• Arrange for equipment purchases and repairs
• Recruit and hire staff
• May prepare and cook food on a regular basis, or for special guests or functions

Sous-chefs perform some or all of the following duties:

• Supervise activities of specialist chefs, chefs, cooks and other kitchen workers
• Demonstrate new cooking techniques and new equipment to cooking staff
• May plan menus and requisition food and kitchen supplies
• May prepare and cook meals or specialty foods

Chefs and specialist chefs perform some or all of the following duties:

• Prepare and cook complete meals or specialty foods, such as pastries, sauces, soups, salads, vegetables and meat, poultry and fish dishes, and create decorative food displays for special events such as banquets
• Instruct cooks in preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food
• Create new recipes
• Supervise cooks and other kitchen staff
• May plan menus
• May requisition food and kitchen supplies

Example job titles for Chefs:

Find out about salary ranges for Chefs in different Canadian cities with our Canada Salary Calculator.

You can start looking for a job in Canada by using our Canada Job Search Tool.