Cook

Role overview

As part of the military, the Cook role focuses on preparing wholesome meals for Canadian Armed Forces personnel and employees of National Defence.

What you will do

• Create and serve food for a wide range of settings, from self-serve cafeteria meals to formal multi-course dining for military and civilian guests.
• Help receive, store, and control both food and non-food inventory.
• Follow established health, hygiene, and workplace safety practices.
• Support meal preparation that respects religious and spiritual dietary needs.
• Maintain food safety standards and Defence requirements.
• Use, clean, and look after food service tools, equipment, and facilities.

Work environment

Cooks may be posted in many different settings in Canada or sent overseas on deployments. Most serve at bases and wings, while others work with land-based operational units or aboard ships and submarines.

In the Regular Force, once training is finished, you are assigned to a first base. Postings can involve relocation and flexibility is limited, so moving during your career is likely. In the Primary Reserve Force, you serve through a specific reserve unit and, outside of training, your workplace is your home unit on a part-time basis without a requirement to relocate. Reserve service commonly includes one night per week and some weekends, with the possibility of full-time work.

Entry pathways

There are direct entry options as well as paid education options.

Education and eligibility

The minimum academic requirement is completion of the provincial standard for Grade 10, or Secondary 4 in Quebec, including Grade 10 Workplace Math or Math 414 / CTS 4 in Quebec.

A college diploma or certificate in food services or culinary arts is considered an advantage. The Forces will assess whether your program aligns with the training requirements and may place you directly into on-the-job training after basic training.

Foreign education may also be accepted.

For the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP), successful applicants are paid to attend an approved Canadian college diploma program. Participants complete basic training and summer on-the-job training, receive full-time pay with medical and dental coverage plus paid vacation, and must commit to serving with the Forces for a specified period. Applicants choosing this route must apply both to the Forces and to the relevant college.

Training

Training begins with Basic Military Qualification at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This stage teaches the common core skills required of all trades and is physically demanding because recruits must meet the Canadian Armed Forces fitness standard.

Occupational training for Cooks takes place at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre (CFLTC) in Borden, Ontario. Through classroom instruction, demonstrations, and practical exercises, trainees learn cooking terminology, weights and measures, conversions, introductory baking and meat preparation, large- and small-scale food production, food safety methods, service standards, basic food cost control, fire and safety precautions, and equipment and facility maintenance.

Those enrolled in NCMSTEP may complete part or all of their Basic Occupational Qualification Training at an approved Canadian college, university, or other post-secondary institution.

Additional development may include specialized training in instructional methods, Red Seal certification, submarine service, Flight Steward duties, Food & Beverage Manager certification, and the National Food Safety Training Program.

Part-time service

This role is also available in a part-time capacity with the Army, Navy, and Air Force at select locations across Canada. Reserve Force members generally train and work with their home unit in their community, often while studying or holding another civilian job. They are paid during training, are not posted or required to relocate, may volunteer for a move to another base, and may also volunteer for deployment inside or outside Canada.

Cooks can serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, or Royal Canadian Air Force, and in part-time or casual full-time roles they usually work at a military base, wing, home port, or ship within Canada.

Reserve members are trained to the same standard as Regular Force members. They normally begin with their home unit, complete basic military training, then attend occupational training at CFLTC in Borden, Ontario, followed by practical on-the-job experience.

Reserve Force service is usually scheduled for evenings and weekends, though some units offer fixed-term full-time positions depending on the work. Pay is set at 92.8% of Regular Force rates, and members receive a reasonable benefits package and may be eligible for a pension plan contribution.

Related careers

Imagery Technician, Boatswain, and Musician.

Additional information

The role may involve service with the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, or Royal Canadian Air Force. It may also include work with military and civilian dignitaries, deployments abroad, and service in different types of operational settings.