Culinary Arts

Mexican cuisine is known for its intense and varied flavours, vibrant colour schemes and tasty combination of spices. Internationally recognized for dishes such as chocolate, tacos, quesadillas, burritos and tamales, Mexican food varies greatly by region and the availability of staple ingredients such as tomato, vanilla, avocado, guava, chilli pepper, beans, squash, and meats like poultry and beef. Truly authentic Mexican food is based on pre-Columbian traditions, including the Aztecs and Maya combined with trends introduced by the Spanish.

Chef

Chef

Executive chefs perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Help plan and direct food preparation and cooking activities of several restaurants in an establishment, restaurant chains, hospitals or other establishments with food services
  • Observe client consultations regarding weddings, banquets and specialty functions
  • Learn how to plan menus and ensure food meets quality standards
  • Estimate food requirements and may estimate food and labour costs
  • Help supervise activities of sous-chefs, specialist chefs, chefs and cooks
  • Arrange for equipment purchases and repairs
  • 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:

  • Help supervise activities of specialist chefs, chefs, cooks and other kitchen workers
  • Observe new cooking techniques and learn about new equipment
  • 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:

  • Help 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
  • Learn from cooks regarding preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food
  • Create new recipes
  • May plan menus
  • May requisition food and kitchen supplies

Baker

Baked Dish
  • Help prepare dough for pies, bread, rolls and sweet goods, batters for muffins, cookies and cakes and icings and frostings according to recipes or special customer orders
  • Learn how to operate machinery
  • Bake mixed dough and batters
  • Practice how to frost and decorate cakes or other baked goods
  • Ensure quality of products meets established standards
  • Become familiar with how to draw up production schedule to determine type and quantity of goods to produce
  • Assist with the purchasing baking supplies
  • May help oversee sales and merchandising of baked goods

Cook

Cook
  • Help prepare and cook complete meals or individual dishes and foods
  • Help prepare and cook special meals for patients as instructed by dietitian or chef
  • Assist with the scheduling and supervising of kitchen helpers
  • Learn how to oversee kitchen operations
  • Help maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment
  • May set up and oversee buffets
  • May clean kitchen and work area
  • May help plan menus, determine size of food portions, estimate food requirements and costs, and monitor and order supplies