Dietary Cook Assistant
Approved under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005
Course Overview
The Dietary Cook Assistant program is a comprehensive 700-hour diploma program designed to prepare students for careers in institutional cooking, particularly in healthcare settings like hospitals and long-term care facilities. Students learn essential culinary fundamentals including food preparation techniques, kitchen safety, nutrition, menu planning, dietary meal preparation for special medical conditions, and food costing, complemented by practical skills in baking, knife techniques, and meal presentation. The program includes a 120-hour practicum placement where students apply their skills in real-world food service environments, and graduates receive industry-recognized certifications including Food Handler, WHMIS, Smart Serve and CPR & First Aid, Level C.
Is this program right for you?
This program is ideal if you’re passionate about cooking and want to make a meaningful difference in healthcare food services, particularly working with elderly residents and patients with specific dietary needs. It’s well suited for individuals who are detail-oriented, enjoy working in team environments, and want to combine culinary skills with an understanding of nutrition and medical dietary requirements. If you’re seeking a stable career in institutional cooking with opportunities in hospitals, retirement homes, or long-term care facilities, this hands-on program will equip you with both the technical skills and industry certifications needed to succeed.
What You'll learn
Students in this program will master fundamental cooking techniques including proper knife skills, food preparation methods, baking, and various cooking approaches from grilling to deep-frying. You’ll gain expertise in nutrition and dietary meal preparation, learning how to create specialized menus for medical conditions such as diabetes and celiac disease while understanding food safety, sanitation, and WHMIS protocols. The curriculum covers essential business skills including menu planning, food costing, recipe development, inventory management, and customer service communication. Additionally you’ll learn professional kitchen organization and equipment usage, and understand meal presentation and service standards. The program culminates in a hands-on practicum where you’ll apply these skills in real healthcare food service environments, while earning valuable certifications in Food Handler safety, Smart Serve and CPR & First Aid that are essential for employment in institutional kitchens.
Career Opportunities
The Dietary Cook Assistant program at Crossroads prepares graduates for entry-level cooking positions in healthcare and institutional food service settings, with a focus on preparing nutritious meals for patients and residents with specialized dietary needs.
Potential Job Titles and Career Opportunities
- Line Cook: Prepare and cook food items in various institutional settings
- Hospital Cook: Specialize in preparing therapeutic and medical diets for patients
- Dietary Cook: Work in long-term care facilities creating meals that meet specific nutritional requirements
- Grill Cook: Focus on grilled preparations in healthcare of institutional kitchens
- Institutional Cook: Prepare large-scale meals in hospitals, retirement homes, or care facilities
- Cook Assistant: Support senior kitchen staff in meal preparation and service
- Food Service Worker: Work in healthcare food service departments ensuring dietary compliance and meal quality
Included Certifications
First Aid & CPR, Level C
Food Safety - Food Handler
Smart Serve Certification
WHMIS Certification
Program Details
Program Type:
Certificate Course
Program Duration:
34 Weeks (33 weeks instruction + 1 week break)
Total Instruction Hours:
700 Hours
Delivery Format:
Hybrid
Language of Instruction:
English
Why Choose Crossroads?
- Small Class Sizes
- Comprehensive Certification Package
- Real-World Practicum Experience
- Flexible Learning Options
- Specialized Healthcare Focus
- Fast-Track to Employment
- Well-Rounded Curriculum
- Accessible Admission Requirements
- Ongoing Support
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Personal Support Worker with Certifications program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (Grade 12) or equivalent.
- Be 18 years of age or older on or before the program begins AND pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam with a minimum score of 16 (The exam can be administered at one of our campus locations.
Frequently asked questions
The program takes 34 weeks to complete, including 33 weeks of instruction and 1 week of scheduled breaks. You’ll complete 700 hours of training at an average of 21 hours per week.
Yes! Crossroads will arrange your practicum placement for you. We have established partnerships with various healthcare and food service organizations in the area.
Successful graduates will earn a Dietary Cook Assistant Diploma I along with multiple industry-recognized certifications including Food Handler Certificate, WHMIS, Smart Serve and CPR & First Aid, Level C, all of which are highly valued by employers.
Successful graduates work as line cooks, hospital cooks, dietary cooks, and institutional cooks in healthcare facilities. The academy will conduct follow-up interviews with graduates 3-6 months after completion to track employment success and maintain relationships with employers.
You must maintain a 70% average in each subject. If you fail a final exam, you can rewrite it once for an additional cost of $100. Tests, assignments, and mid-terms may be repeated once at no additional charge. Failed subjects must be repeated at a cost of $500.
We offer multiple start dates throughout the year. Contact our admissions team at (613) 742-7499 extension 206 to learn about upcoming classes and to secure your spot. Classes fill quickly, so we strongly recommend applying early!
Some practicum placements may require a vulnerable sector check or medical clearance. The college will assist you with these applications during your program. If you cannot obtain required clearances, we’ll find an alternative placement that doesn’t require them.
Funding and financial assistance may be available for those individuals who qualify. Please click here to see the detailed information on financial aid.