Overview As a member of the military, Cooks prepare nutritious food items and meals for Canadian Armed Forces members and National Defence employees.

Prepare and serve meals that range from cafeteria-style menus to formal multi-course meals for military and civilian dignitaries

Assist in the handling and control of food and non-food supplies

Provide for Religious and Spiritual dietary accommodations

Manage food safety and Defence

Operate, clean and maintain food services equipment and facilities

A Cook may work in a variety of environments within Canada, or overseas on deployments. The majority of all Cooks are employed at bases and wings while the others serve with land-based operational units or onboard ships and submarines.

If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career. However, if you decide to join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your chosen Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part time basis, and you will not be obligated to relocate to a different base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

The ideal candidate already have a college diploma or certificate in food services or culinary arts, the Forces will decide if your academic program matches the training criteria for this job and may place you directly into the required on-the-job training program following basic training.





Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Plan (NCMSTEP).

Because this position requires specialty training, the Forces will pay successful recruits to attend the diploma program at an approved Canadian college. NCMSTEP students attend basic training and on-the-job training during the summer months. They receive full time salary including medical and dental care, as well as vacation time with full-pay in exchange for working with the Forces for a period of time. Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. as a result, the training is physically demanding.

Cooks attend a training course at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Center (CFLTC) in Borden, Ontario. Food safety practices and techniques

Food service standards and basic food cost controls

Fire and safety precautions

Equipment & facility maintenance

Applicants who enrol under the Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Training and Education Program (NCMSTEP) will have the opportunity to complete a portion, or all of their Basic Occupational Qualification Training at an approved Canadian college, university, other postsecondary establishment.





Cooks may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training. Instructional techniques

Red Seal certification

Food & Beverage Manager certification

National Food Safety Training Program

Part time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Army, Navy and Air Force at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part time at a Reserve Force Division in their community, and may serve while going to school or working at a civilian job. They are paid during their training. They may also volunteer for deployment on a military mission within or outside Canada.

Cooks serve with the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army or Royal Canadian Air Force. They are employed preparing food items and meals for Forces members and National Defence employees. Cooks employed on a part-time or casual full-time basis usually serve at a military base, wing, home port or ship located within Canada.

They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, basic occupational skills training for Cooks is conducted at the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre (CFLTC) in Borden, Ontario. Following this, they further gain practical experience through an on-the-job training program.

Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work that they do. They are paid 92.8% of Regular Force rates of pay, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

Materials Technician

📌 Cook - Part Time - Nights and Weekends (Calgary)
🏢 Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes
📍 Calgary