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Cooks  (NOC 6242)
Saint John--St. Stephen Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Cooks prepare and cook a wide variety of foods. They are employed in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and other health care institutions, central food commissaries, educational institutions and other establishments. Cooks are also employed aboard ships and at construction and logging campsites. Apprentice cooks are included in this unit group.

apprentice cook, cook, dietary cook, first cook, grill cook, hospital cook, institutional cook, journeyman/woman cook, licensed cook, line cook, second cook, short order cook.

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Cooks perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Prepare and cook complete meals or individual dishes and foods
  • Prepare and cook special meals for patients as instructed by dietitian or chef
  • Schedule and supervise kitchen helpers
  • Oversee kitchen operations
  • Maintain inventory and records of food, supplies and equipment
  • May set up and oversee buffets
  • May clean kitchen and work area
  • May plan menus, determine size of food portions, estimate food requirements and costs, and monitor and order supplies.
  • May hire and train kitchen staff

Cooks may specialize in preparing and cooking ethnic cuisine or special dishes.

Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Saint John, Golden Grove, Rothesay, Saint Andrews, St. Stephen, Sussex, Hampton Station, Lingley

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Cooks in Saint John--St. Stephen Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Cooks in Saint John--St. Stephen Region as well as in the rest of the New Brunswick.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Saint John--St. Stephen Region Good 2011-08-12

Currently the chances of qualified Cooks finding employment are considered to be good in the local area.

Employment opportunities for Cooks may vary in different communities across the province. You may want to check for specific opportunities in your community. Also, people who are able to work elsewhere may want to research the opportunities for this occupation in other areas of NB or in other provinces across the country.

According to the most recent (2006) Census, this is a large occupational group with a labour force of 1085.

According to the most recent Canadian Occupational Projections System (COPS) Forecast, the average annual employment growth rate for this occupation is below the average for all occupations in New Brunswick. Many of the jobs in this occupation can be found in these main industries: 1) Accommodation and Food Service Industry, 2) Health Care & Social Assistance and 3) Retail Trade.

Opportunities exist because of the high turnover rate of employees due to the low wages in the industry and the seasonal work environment. Year round work is more common for the experienced cooks, institutional cooks and those who are employed with larger establishments. Within the Saint John and surrounding area, there are a variety of opportunities not only within the restaurants but also on board ships, in hospitals & schools, nursing homes, and on work sites.

There is a steady demand for cooks and those with a combination of formal training and experience will be in the greatest demand in hotels, restaurants and institutional kitchens.

With stringent legislation regarding health and safety, cooks will be doing more documentation of daily activities. This will mean greater use of writing and increased text reading and interpretation. Growing health consciousness and greater emphasis on the nutritional values of food has resulted in a trend for lighter and more wholesome meals. In addition, computer use will become a greater priority for many cooks as the need to locate information quickly via the internet accelerates. Many cooks are expected to show artistic ability in food displays and participate in competitions. Continuous learning is essential to remain up to date on the latest trends within the industry.

For more information on Cooks (opportunities in other areas, training, who hires, current job openings and additional statistics), please click on one of the links below or select another option from the left sidebar. Date Published: 12/08/2011

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Local Labour Market News

Week of Apr 15 – Apr 19, 2013

  • A Second Cup coffee shop will open in the uptown area of Saint John at 14 King Street later in May. Twelve to 15 employees are expected to be hired.

Week of Apr 08 – Apr 12, 2013

  • A new $30M seniors complex was announced for the Sussex area and could see construction begin this summer pending town council approval. The complex would provide housing for about 150 seniors in various housing accommodations from independent to assisted-living arrangements. When open, it is expected to provide employment for up to 100 people in the region.

Week of Apr 01 – Apr 05, 2013

  • The Magnolia Café in Saint John will re-open in mid-April in the same Prince William Street space. All of the kitchen staff, including the head chief and pastry chef are returning along with half of the servers.

Week of Mar 04 – Mar 08, 2013

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the New Brunswick and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.