Culinary Arts Programs at VIU

Train to Become a Chef at VIU!

Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island

Love food?  Love to cook?  Want to be part of a team that shares your passion for culinary excellence? Look no further than VIU.

  • Get started on your career path through our  10-week co-op paid work practicums. Students work at location of choice including five-star hotels and resorts, restaurants, care facilities, and camps, across Canada and beyond.
  • Options include a 1-year Culinary Arts Certificate and a 2-year Culinary Management Diploma.
  • Earn training hours towards your Red Seal qualification by completing Professional Cook 1 and 2.
  • Culinary Arts Certificate program is offered in Nanaimo, Cowichan (Duncan) and tiwšɛmawtxʷ.
  • Culinary Management Diploma program is offered in Nanaimo.
  • Work with our talented chefs in three commercial kitchens, the Birch Tree cafe in tiwšɛmawtxʷ, or our fine-dining restaurant, the Discovery Room in Nanaimo.
  • Opportunity to be involved in competitions, locally and nationally.
VIU Culinary Student, Jarrett Beaulieu

Jarrett Beaulieu, Culinary Programs

“I have a lot of respect for the industry and the professionalism, dedication, discipline and sacrifice one needs in force to climb as a chef (and especially in the international scene).

For me success in this industry is about two things - hard work and belief in self.

Read more about Jarrett's experience