Do you have a passion for cooking and an interest in exploring a career as a chef?
The Culinary Arts | SAIT and Teatro Group (Pilot) combines post-secondary culinary education at SAIT with hands-on industry learning through TEATRO Group. Students begin by developing foundational culinary knowledge and practical skills at SAIT, then transition to TEATRO Group to apply and expand those skills alongside industry professionals in authentic culinary environments. This combined experience allows students to:
- Develop practical culinary skills and industry knowledge
- Experience both post-secondary and professional culinary environments
- Learn from post-secondary instructors and industry professionals
- Explore careers and opportunities in the culinary trades
- Build skills that support future pathways into post-secondary education, apprenticeship and employment
Students move from learning culinary fundamentals at SAIT to TEATRO, applying their skills in industry, providing a connected pathway from high school to future education, training and careers.
February–April | SAIT Culinary Arts
Students begin their Dual Credit Culinary Arts program pathway at SAIT’s Tastemarket Campus, completing two post-secondary courses from SAIT’s Culinary and Baking programs and takes place at the Tastemarket Campus downtown.
SAIT Culinary Arts
Introduction to Cooking (BAKE-227) is a practical course that introduces students to the daily operation of a production kitchen and the skills required across culinary disciplines. Cooking methods, knife skills, stock production, sauces, equipment familiarization, terminology, and product identification are among the topics covered in the course.
In Introduction to Cold Foods (COOK-223), students gain practical experience to prepare hors d’oeuvres, salads, dressings and vinaigrettes, sandwiches and a variety of cold appetizers. Topics include mise en place, storage, safe handling, cooking methods, production and service.
April–May | TEATRO Group
Students then take the skills developed at SAIT into professional culinary environments through a partnership with The Educational Partnership Foundation (TEPF) and TEATRO Group to apply and expand those skills alongside culinary professionals in authentic industry environments.
Chef Matthew Batey and TEATRO Group chefs provide culinary education and hands-on learning at various TEATRO Group locations. Students have opportunities to work alongside Red Seal chefs and experience different areas of professional cooking, including hands-on skills in a variety of areas:
- Baking and pastry
- Production/batch cooking
- Breakfast cookery and donuts
- Hot side
- Butchery
- Garde Manger
- Safety Awareness
- Workplace Competencies
- Industry Engagement
See the program page for more details.
Program Details
Eligibility
Open to all CBE high school students who:
- Are in Grade 11 or 12 during the program
- Are a minimum of 16 years of age
- Are mature, punctual and reliable, as this is an industry setting
- Able to commit to the duration of the program and attend all location times
- Pre-requisite/Co-requisite requirements:
- Minimum 50% in English Language Arts 10-1 or 10-2, or Humanities 10 and,
- Minimum 50% in Math 10C or Math 10-3
- Have completed the following Prerequisite courses:
- WHMIS
- Alberta Food Safety Basics Course
- HCS3000 – Workplace Safety Systems
See your home high school Off-Campus Coordinator or Guidance Counsellor to complete this course.
Attend an Info Session
Join an upcoming information session to learn more about the program, curriculum and instructors.
Upcoming Sessions
Tuesday, October 6th, 2026
Tuesday, March 2, 2027
Location & Delivery
In Person
SAIT Tastemarket and Teatro Group locations
Duration & Time
February to May
This is a full semester program. Students will begin their culinary training at SAIT Tastemarket and then transition to TEATRO Group locations for a series of five-day (one-week) industry rotations. The program also includes a three-day paid service weekend rotation at TEATRO and celebration events at both SAIT and TEATRO.
SAIT Tastemarket
Monday - Thursday
8:30 - 11:30 AM
- Alforno (Baking & Pastry)
Monday - Friday
7:00 - 11:00 AM - E.A.T. (Production/Batch Cooking)
Monday - Friday
7:00 - 11:00 AM - Cucina (Hot Side)
Monday - Friday
7:00 - 11:00 AM - Teatro Ristorante (Butchery)
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Teatro Ristorante (paid service weekend)
Friday - Sunday
4:00 - 11:00 PM
Timetable Recommendations
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from all program locations each day.
Workload
Students will attend each location for a five-day (one-week) rotation, with the exception of a paid service weekend at Teatro, which is a three-day weekend rotation.
Program Benefits
- Skills, Training and Transition to Work:
- Training by qualified Red Seal Chefs in various settings
- Connection to potential work placements, including the possibility of employment with Teatro Group upon program completion
- Credits:
- Students will earn up to 5 Work Experience credits, dependent on attendance
Credits
Up to 15 total
5 credits for Introduction to Cooking, 5 credits for Introduction to Cold Foods, up to 5 Work Experience credits at Teatro.
Career Map
Considerations
- Students must have space in their full-year timetable to accommodate the program delivery, location, and dates.
- Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the program location. Support may be available – reach out to your Off-Campus Coordinator or guidance counsellor, or email uniquepathways@cbe.ab.ca if you require support.
- Students are expected to attend every day and meet all safety and behavioural expectations of the program partner site. Failure to do so may result in removal from the program.
- Students must be registered as a full-time student, taking at least one course at their home high school during the program (work experience excluded).
- Students will be expected to communicate with both their CBE supervising teacher and course instructor regularly.
How to Apply
- Read through the course(s) and/or program(s) of interest.
- Review program choice with your school Off-Campus Coordinator and/or Guidance Counsellor for program readiness and timetabling concerns.
- You are highly encouraged to attend the Unique Pathways Information Night to ask questions of our program partners and determine if the program is a good fit for you. Connect with your Off-Campus Coordinator or Guidance counsellor if you are unable to attend.
- Download and fill in the Dual Credit Application Form Package when available.
- Refer to the application checklist and ensure all items are complete.
- Book an appointment with your Off-Campus Coordinator and/or Guidance Counsellor before the deadline to complete your application, including signatures from all parties.
- The school will submit the application to Unique Pathways on your behalf.
Contact
Unique Pathways Team
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Last modified: 2026-09-28 23:23:45.873454 +0000 UTC