Watch video
Next information session
Overview
Prepare yourself for the exciting world of entrepreneurship as you immerse yourself in the day-to-day operations of a real-life business. Learn about your tolerance to risk, your ability to manage and lead. Graduates can look forward to career opportunities in management or as independent business owners.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur at heart or you want to increase your business acumen, the Culinary Entrepreneurship post-diploma will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to turn an idea into reality. An intensive year-long certificate program, you’ll learn first-hand all about the world of entrepreneurialism as you manage an actual, real-life hospitality enterprise.
The experiential learning from a live classroom environment will provide you with the skillset required to operate a business, provide creative solutions and drive product development - skillsets that are increasingly sought after in a globalized, competitive environment.
While managing a business, your learning will be complemented with online courses and professional mentorship from industry experts. Your studies will cover everything from business operations, facilities, and business regulations to finance, human resource management, sales and marketing.
Upon completion of this post-diploma certificate, you will be able to make informed decisions about your tolerance to risk, your ability to manage and your ability to lead. Further, you will be able to determine if you are suited to entrepreneurship, whether or not you are ready to become an entrepreneur, or if you should use your entrepreneurial mindset to enhance your position within an organization.
A world-class experiential learning environment
An integral part of your learning experience will be SAIT’s new state-of-the-art facility designed to foster culinary excellence, creative exchange and innovation. An incubator for entrepreneurs, this space will provide you with a flexible platform to develop and market your products, engage with paying customers in real-time and fully immerse yourself in the day-to-day operations of entrepreneurialism.
Is this the right for me?
Most successful students spend approximately 20 hours per week doing homework and review, with additional study required to prepare for exams.
Keep in mind hospitality industry hours can range from early morning to late in the evening and often include holidays and weekends.
The material is presented at a fairly rapid rate, so for the greatest level of success, you must be present and take responsibility for your learning experience. You must be able to read, write and comprehend the English language at a level exceeding basic conversational English.
The intensive nature of the program requires students to have well developed time management skills.
Credentials
Graduates of the program will receive a post-diploma certificate in Culinary Entrepreneurship.
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue job opportunities within the hospitality industry as:
- managers
- business owners
Related careers:
- special events manager
- hotel manager
Tuition and fees per year*
Year 1: $10,421
Year 1 (International): $16,676
Year 1: TBA
Year 1 (International): $16,830
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Requirements
This is a competitive program. If applicants meet the admission requirements they will be assessed based on additional criteria. Applicants will be offered admission to this program if they’re qualified through the competitive process and space is available.
When can you apply?
- Applications for Fall 2020 are accepted Oct. 2, 2019, until July 1, 2010.
| Term | Program start |
|---|---|
| Fall 2020 | Sept. 8, 2020 |
SAIT Cooks Up Ranking Success
We’re so excited and we just can’t hide it! SAIT’s School of Hospitality and Tourism has been recognized yet again by CEOWORLD Magazine and QS World University Rankings This year, SAIT ranks the 21st best hospitality and hotel management school in the world and 29th best hospitality and leisure management school in the world respectively — up six spots on both lists from last year.
Admission Requirements
Admission and selection
- Fall 2020 start: applications accepted Oct. 2, 2019, until July 1, 2020.
Admission requirements
Completion of the following diplomas or work experience:
- Completion of a Professional Cooking diploma or Baking and Pastry Arts diploma or equivalent
- Completion of Journeyman Cook or Baker certification
- Three to five years of work experience in the hospitality or food industry with approval from the program Academic Chair.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada.
Competitive entry: seven-step process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.
Step 3: Review the selection information to understand the process and deadlines.
- Applications and proof of the admission requirements ( transcripts and/or anticipated final grades) along with all supporting documents must be submitted by July 1 to be included in the selection.
In the selection process, qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview with representatives of the Culinary Entrepreneurship program. Offers of admission will be determined based on the interview.
- We encourage applicants to apply early as the program will fill quickly. Once the program is full, qualified applicants will be waitlisted.
- Preference will be given to applicants with industry experience.
- International students and students applying from outside of Calgary will be able to conduct the interview over the phone.
- Failure to attend an interview will result in your status changing to “Declined through Selection”. If this happens and you are still interested in the program, then you must contact 403-284-8612 and speak to the Academic Advisor.
Step 4: Apply to Culinary Entrepreneurship and submit your transcripts.
Step 5: Log in to mySAIT.ca to check your admission status. If eligible, your status will indicate that you're "In Selection."
Step 6: Check your e-mail for an e-mail from the School of Hospitality and Tourism to arrange for and attend an interview. You must contact the School of Hospitality and Tourism within 10 business days to book an interview.
Step 7: Continue to monitor changes to your application status through mySAIT.ca.
Failure to meet anticipated final grades will result in offers being rescinded
Communication during selection
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.
We recommend you add culinary@sait.ca and the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Courses
Program outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
Semester 1
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APST-400 | Technology for Business | 3.0 |
| FDBS-400 | Food Service Retail Management | 3.0 |
| FNCE-400 | Applied Finance I | 3.0 |
| LDSH-400 | Applied Entrepreneurship I | 3.0 |
| LDSH-401 | Applied Leadership I | 3.0 |
| MGMT-404 | Managing Business Operations I | 3.0 |
| MKTG-403 | Applied Sales and Marketing I | 3.0 |
| PHYF-401 | Facilities | 3.0 |
| Semester 1 Total: | 24.0 | |
Semester 2
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FNCE-401 | Applied Finance II | 3.0 |
| HRMT-401 | Applied Human Resources | 3.0 |
| LDSH-402 | Applied Entrepreneurship II | 3.0 |
| LDSH-403 | Applied Leadership II | 3.0 |
| MGMT-406 | Managing Business Operations II | 3.0 |
| MKTG-404 | Applied Sales and Marketing II | 3.0 |
| OPMT-400 | Supports and Regulations | 3.0 |
| Semester 2 Total: | 21.0 | |
| Program Total: | 45.0 | |
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education through transfer to, within or from SAIT is available. Visit Transfer Options to learn more.
Costs
2020/21 Domestic Tuition and Fees *
| Year | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Health & Dental Plan | 2020/21 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $ 9,200 | $682 | $288 | $252 | $10,421 |
2020/21 International Tuition and Fees *
| Year | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Health & Dental Plan | 2020/21 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,363 | $682 | $288 | $344 | $16,676 |
2021/22 Domestic Tuition and Fees*
Check back for updates on the 2021/22 domestic tuition and fees.
| Year | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Health & Dental Plan | 2021/22 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TBA | $- | $- | $- | TBA |
2021/22 International Tuition and Fees*
| Year | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Health & Dental Plan | 2021/22 total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,517 | $682 | $288 | $344 | $16,830 |
*Fees and tuition are based on a two-semester full course load structure. There may be additional fees for practicums and terms held outside this time frame.
SAIT Fees
Campus athletic and recreation Fee: $171.20
Universal transit pass (UPass): $310 - Check eligibility here.
Student support fee: $100
Student technology fee: $100
Health and Dental Fees
Domestic Students
- Health Plan: $122
- Dental Plan: $130
- For students with existing health and/or dental plans, please refer to the Saitsa website for information on opting out.
International Students
- Health and Dental Plan: $344
- For more information on Health and Dental Benefits for International students please contact the International Centre.
Books and Supplies*
- Books and supplies cost approximately $500.
Find out about tuition and financial aid.
* Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
The industry-approved PPE you'll need will be discussed during your first few days of classes.
Preparation courses
To support your success, SAIT offers some short courses before classes start, including PREP 100: The SAIT Experience and ETHI 110: SAIT Ethical Practices.
Required textbooks
The booklist will be available about two weeks before classes start.
Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase required this term.
Contact
Phone: 403.210.4343
Email: andy.trache@sait.ca
Academic chair
Georg Windisch, Academic Chair
Email: georg.windisch@sait.ca