Overview
Considered one of the best in Canada, the Culinary Arts program at SAIT is delivered by world-renowned chefs that will give you expert, hands-on culinary training. In just two short years you’ll have the opportunity to train and interact with 20 leading culinary professionals - a remarkable experience for anyone passionate about the culinary arts.
During this two year program, you will train in all aspects of the culinary trade including foundational cooking techniques, garde manger, introduction to global cuisines, patisserie and culinary management which includes courses such as hospitality mindset, teams and cultures, beverage arts, culinary diplomacy and more. You will gain valuable, real-life experience in this high demand industry and will be well prepared for a diverse range of options in the dynamic world of culinary arts.
Our students’ success is a top priority and we deliver on this promise through small class sizes, a personalized approach and state-of-the-art facilities. Our classrooms and labs recently received $7 million in upgrades including the new Michelle O’Reilly Charcuterie Lab, SAIT’s gourmet Market Place and our downtown Culinary Campus. Operating in live classroom environments such as the renowned Highwood restaurant, downtown Campus and 4 Nines Dining Centre will provide you with real world experience that prepares you for success in the culinary industry.
You will learn essential cooking skills and current trends through repetitive production style cooking for the public under the watchful eyes and guidance of our professional chefs - just like you would in a real workplace kitchen. Working in teams, you will hone your professionalism, critical thinking skills while you develop effective communication skills.
At the year-end capstone courses, you will have the opportunity to showcase and demonstrate the skills learned throughout your learning journey.
Professional paid internship and study tours
During your third semester, you will apply your skills in the industry through a professional paid internship. During your internship. you’ll experience learning in a real-world environment while you develop valuable industry connections and get networking opportunities with future employers.
You can also broaden your horizons and take advantage of exciting international study tours. Previous tour locations include Australia, France, Spain, Italy, Chile and Thailand.
Global recognition through chef competitions
Our Culinary Arts program will give you the skills for a global career path and opportunities to work in the world’s finest dining establishments. You also have the option to compete in skills and culinary competitions - both locally and internationally. Our students have won gold and silver in Provincial and National Skills, as well as in Canadian Chef Association competitions. Our students also competed in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Toronto over the last several years and were placed in the top three rankings.
Is this the right fit 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. For example, our cold food prep classes start at 7 am and the dinner service at the Highwood ends at 10 pm.
The culinary industry is fast-paced with a focus on customer service.
The material is presented at a fairly rapid rate. 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.
Students with higher grades in high school usually experience more success in SAIT programs.
Accreditation
Alberta Apprenticeship has accredited this program for all three technical training periods.
Students are still required to complete 4,680 hours of paid work experience and must successfully challenge all three provincial exams before being considered eligible for the Red Seal exam and designation.
Students in the Professional Cooking program can challenge:
- the first-year government exam after successful completion of their first year in the diploma program
- the second-year government exam after successful completion of the third and fourth semesters provided they passed the first-year government exam
- the third-year government exam after successful completion of the Professional Cooking diploma provided they passed the first and second-year government exams.
Credentials
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT diploma in Culinary Arts.
Want to learn more about this and similar programs?
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue job opportunities in restaurants, hotels and convention centres. Potential positions include:
- executive chef
- sous-chef
- chef de partie
- banquet chef
- garde manger
- chef de cuisine
- kitchen manager
Related careers include:
- food stylist
- educator
Tuition and fees
Estimated cost per year:
Domestic total 2023/24
- Year 1: $10,157.50
- Year 2: $9,526
International total 2023/24
- Year 1: $28,820.13
- Year 2: $27,442.12
Final costs are dependent on the number of courses a student takes per semester.
Requirements
You will be offered admission to this program through direct entry if you meet the admission requirements and space is available.
Culinary Arts grad Korae Nottveit tops WorldSkills podium
SAIT alumna grabs gold medal in WorldSkills 2022 competition
Admission requirements
Program requirements
Completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- at least 50% in English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2 or Humanities 10 and,
- at least 50% in Math 10C or Math 10-3.
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
When should you apply?
Visit our Apply page to see when applications open and close for upcoming semesters.
To see which semesters this program has intakes for, look at the Available Intakes information at the top of this page.
Direct entry: four-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: Apply to the program and submit your transcripts.
Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Continue to monitor your application status through mySAIT.ca.
You must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
This program meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for international students as long as the student is enrolled in the on-campus delivery mode or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for the blended option). International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.
Communication during admission
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 the hospitality@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
When do classes start?
Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year-end date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2023 | March 20, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| Fall 2023 | Sept. 5, 2023 | April 26, 2024 |
| Winter 2024 | March 18, 2024 | Oct. 18, 2024 |
Course
Program outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
First year
Semester 1
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| COOK-204 | Culinary Fundamentals | 3.0 |
| COOK-207 | Breakfast and Brunch | 3.0 |
| COOK-217 | Vegetables and Starches | 3.0 |
| COOK-223 | Fundamentals of Cold Foods | 3.0 |
| COOK-227 | Soup, Sauces and Stock | 3.0 |
| KMGT-202 | Culinary Management I | 3.0 |
| Semester 1 Total | 18.0 | |
Semester 2
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| COOK-203 | Capstone Year I | 3.0 |
| COOK-233 | Classic and Contemporary Hot Foods | 3.0 |
| COOK-253 | Butchery for Chefs | 3.0 |
| COOK-263 | Quick Services Cooking | 3.0 |
| COOK-267 | Baking and Yeast Goods | 3.0 |
| KMGT-250 | Culinary Management II | 3.0 |
| PINT-201 | Professional Internship | 1.5 |
| Semester 2 Total | 19.5 | |
Second year
Semester 3
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| COOK-303 | Contemporary Restaurant Cuisine - Lunch | 3.0 |
| COOK-307 | Patisserie | 3.0 |
| COOK-317 | Contemporary Restaurant Cuisine - Dinner | 3.0 |
| COOK-333 | Garde Manger | 3.0 |
| KMGT-320 | Culinary Management IV | 3.0 |
| Culinary Management Elective (choose 1) | ||
| KMGT-300 | Culinary Management 3A | 3.0 |
| KMGT-310 | Culinary Management 3B | 3.0 |
| Semester 3 Total | 18.0 | |
Semester 4
| Course Code | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| COOK-302 | Capstone Year II | 3.0 |
| COOK-304 | Exploration of Canadian Cuisine | 3.0 |
| COOK-350 | Exploration of Global Cuisine | 3.0 |
| FDPM-300 | Community Events and Guest Services | 3.0 |
| KMGT-325 | Culinary Management V | 3.0 |
| NUTR-313 | Nutrition and Special Dietary Needs | 3.0 |
| Semester 4 Total | 18.0 | |
| Program Total | 73.5 |
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.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring in, within or on from SAIT is available.
Learn more about program and institution partnership agreements.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023. They are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per year. *
Domestic students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Program fees** | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $8,287.50 | $948 | $622 | $300 | $10,157.50 |
| 2 | 2 | $7,956 | $948 | $622 | -- | $9,526 |
International students
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Program fees** | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $26,950.13 | $948 | $622 | $300 | $28,820.13 |
| 2 | 2 | $25,872.12 | $948 | $622 | -- | $27,442.12 |
*For a detailed breakdown of tuition costs per course, visit the domestic and international fee tables.
**Program fees cover the cost of the food and supplies required for this program.
Fees
Your fees are calculated based on the number of course credits you take per semester (approximately 16 weeks of study). In most cases, your fee is determined based on whether you're taking more or less than nine (9) course credits (more than nine credits in a semester are considered full-time studies.)
Fees are adjusted for programs with start dates outside of the typical 15-week program.
Learn more about what your fees are for
Fees are subject to change without notice.
| Fees | < 9 credits per semester | > 9 credits per semester |
| SAIT fees | ||
| Campus athletic and recreation | $51.50 | $103 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 | $105.50 |
| UPass* | N/A | $160 |
| Total | $157 | $474 |
| Saitsa fees | ||
| Student association fee** | $16.22/credit | $146 |
| Health plan*** | N/A | $86 ($172 annually) |
| Dental plan*** | N/A | $79 ($158 annually) |
| Total | $311 maximum | $476 |
*Additional eligibility requirements apply for students to obtain a UPass. To check your eligibility, visit our Upass page.
**Saitsa fees are paid per credit to a maximum amount of $146 per semester.
***Health and dental fees are charged per semester to an annual maximum amount of $172 for health and $158 for dental. In most cases, program fees quoted are based on students paying for a full year of health and dental coverage. International students are charged these fees regardless of course load. Domestic students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Learn more at saitsa.com/benefits.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about your tuition and financial aid options
*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.
Orientation
Program orientation (ORNT 118) for students starting in Spring 2023 will take place on campus March 13. Check your schedule in mySAIT for the time and location details.
Learn more about campus orientation.
How to register for classes
Course registration opens on March 1 through March 15 for Spring 2023.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.
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 equipment/tools
Students in this program must purchase a professional knife kit. The cost is $200 and it must be purchased through a dedicated website. Students will receive an e-mail within one month of the program start date to purchase the kit which must be purchased with a credit card.
Required uniform
One of your first steps to becoming a student in the Professional Cooking diploma program is to be sure you have the required attire on your first day of class and dress appropriately throughout the entire program.
Chef's jacket, waist apron and pants (your Chef's uniform) are provided with an annual laundry fee of $250 and issued twice weekly from laundry in the John Ware building.
Facemasks will also be supplied.
Chef's hat, necktie, hairnets and gloves (included in the tool kit) are available for purchase from The Market Place.
Professional non-slip kitchen shoes: SAIT will have a vendor on site on the Orientation day but shoes can also be purchased at any professional shoe vendor. We suggest purchasing a clog style shoe.
Tips for success:
- Our main goal is to prepare you for the real world in a hands-on, production-style environment.
- Most successful students spend approximately 20 hours per week doing homework and review, with additional study required to prepare for exams.
- Keep in mind, that hospitality industry hours can range from early morning to late in the evening and often include holidays. For example, our cold food prep classes start at 6:30 am and the dinner service at The Highwood restaurant ends at 10 pm.
- The culinary industry is fast-paced with a strong focus on customer service.
Preparation courses
To support your success, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 100: The SAIT Experience
Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.
Both courses can be accessed through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.
Students taking a full-time course load, or more than nine (9) credits per semester, will be automatically enrolled in these courses.
They are optional for students taking a part-time course load (9 or fewer credits per semester). Part-time students can register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca.
Required textbooks
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
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 is required this term.
Anticipated supply costs: You will need to purchase books and program supplies in your first week. Your books and supplies will cost approximately $900. This is not included in your tuition.
Internship: Internship course fees are due in May of your first year (approximately $553 for domestic students.) This is included in the overall tuition listed in the fee table, however, it often comes as a surprise since the bulk of your tuition is due in August and January.
Optional international study tour: There is an optional international study tour between the first and second years. Interested students should budget approximately $3,500.
Contact
Phone: 403.284.8612
Email: hospitality.info@sait.ca
Academic chair
Rupert Kaupp, Academic Chair
Email: rupert.kaupp@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
Your journey starts here
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