- home > admissions > full time programs > applied degree in culinary operations
Applied Degree in Culinary Operations
To view related videos click the left/right arrows below.
The Culinary Institute of Canada is regarded by many to be the premier culinary school in Canada. The addition of the Applied Degree in Culinary Operations to the school's offerings further reinforces the CIC's commitment to providing high quality, relevant training for students and for individuals working in the food industry who want to further enhance their skills in order to assume leadership roles.
Applied degrees are undergraduate (bachelor's) degrees with an applied, hands-on focus in a particular field. They prepare people to work in a specific profession and gain practical skills in combination with relevant theory while also earning a degree. An ‘applied degree’ program provides students with an education and important skills that can be applied to a specific industry, in this case, the food industry. Whether you are hoping to manage the culinary operations of an organization, own your own restaurant, work as a consultant, or become a product development chef, many of the skills you need to advance yourself and succeed at that level are the same. By developing skills in areas such as: project management, strategic marketing, facility design, foodservice technologies, human resource management, food safety policy development, and accounting, graduates are well positioned to maximize their potential and explore many new and unique opportunities.
National Advisory Committee
The National Advisory Committee provides guidance and input into the design and delivery of our program. This committee is comprised of industry experts from across the country; culinary entrepreneurs, research and development managers, resort and restaurant operators, consultants, project managers, policy development professionals, registered dietitians, educational experts and chefs. Each year, our committee meets to oversee the program, ensure that courses are relevant, and identify emerging trends and new developments within the culinary industry.
Why Take an Applied Degree in Culinary Operations?
For chefs, cooks, and industry professionals who already know how to cook and want to advance in their careers acquiring additional skills and knowledge is essential. An Applied Degree in Culinary Operations will provide you with the skills to:
- Communicate professionally – Give effective presentations, draft policy, and run a meeting professionally and effectively
- Use a best-practices approach to human resource management and ‘lead’ your staff successfully
- Employ foundational skills for planning and managing major projects
- Interpret financial statements and use them to make good business decisions
- Implement an efficient food safety plan for your operation and train your staff accordingly
- Understand the key steps in the process of developing a new food product for market
- Learn how research and evidence-based decision making can guide you to success
- Find out how to best market a product or service: develop a marketing plan, apply pricing, and identify marketing mix
Students may enter the program upon completion of their Culinary Arts Diploma at The Culinary Institute of Canada or another recognized institution along with a minimum of 1280 documented service hours or they may enter the program directly from the workplace, providing they can attest to five years experience in the culinary industry, at least one of which must be at the supervisory level.
Courses
All students are required to complete a 16-week internship between their first and second year of training and a Directed Foodservice Study. During the Directed Foodservice Study, the student conducts research in foodservice with both CIC faculty and employer supervision.
Graduate Opportunities
- Research and food product development
- Foodservice sales and purchasing, food and beverage controller
- Managing sous chef or executive chef
- Food and beverage management
- Institutional operations management
- Restaurant operator or entrepreneur
- Foodservice Consulting - facilities design, foodservice technology, product marketing
- Food safety training
- Quality management in food processing
| Profile Facts | |
|---|---|
| Start Date: | Late September |
| Length: | 2 years |
| Location: | The Culinary Institute of Canada, Tourism and Culinary Centre, Charlottetown |
| Credential Issued: | Applied Degree in Culinary Operations |
Admission Requirements
Students entering the program in the Diploma Stream must provide:
- Proof of successful completion of The Culinary Institute of Canada's two-year Culinary Arts Diploma program or a recognized diploma from another institution; and
- Documentation of 1280 hours of culinary service, which may include any internship, practicum, co-op or work experience hours.
Students entering the program in the Industry Stream must provide:
- Proof of five years of culinary work experience, including service hours and dates and a summary of skills and duties performed, confirmed by a supervisor or employer on company letterhead; and
- Proof that at least one of those years of experience was at the supervisory level, confirmed by a supervisor or employer on company letterhead.
For all applicants, your Application Package should provide documentation to address the following:
- Grade 12 or equivalent
- Resumé including work and volunteer experience with applicable dates, membership in groups, associations or athletics, awards and distinctions, and any other information about yourself relevant to the program.
- Competency in computer literacy
- Three letters of reference
- Preference will be given to applicants who hold a Canadian Red Seal Cook's Certificate of Qualification or equivalent.
Tuition & Fees
| Tuition & Fees | |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,800 |
| Year 2 | $5,800 |
|
View a full breakdown of costs and booklist for this program. |
|
Articulation Agreements
- St. Mary's University
Eligible for entrance into the Master of Business Administration program.
For more information, see our Degree Pathways section.
Contact
If you have any questions concerning the Applied Degree in Culinary Operations program, contact:
- Megan Mullally
- Culinary Office (902) 894-6805

