Born in Nigeria on September 20, 1996, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, holds multiple talents. She stands out as a chef, restaurant owner, and actor. Hilda’s skill in cooking took the world stage when she set a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon in May 2023, lasting an amazing 93 hours and 11 minutes.
Hilda Baci knows it’s important to help people become better chefs. She offers a special chance: full scholarships for cooking school in Canada, along with help getting a VISA, to people who love cooking and want to learn more.
Hilda has a lot of experience and loves cooking. She believes education and training can change people’s lives, especially in cooking. With her offer, she wants to give future chefs the chance to grow by learning, getting skills, and experiencing new things. This is a great chance for those who really want to dive into cooking and see all the good things a Canadian cooking education can bring.
Canada’s Need for Skilled Cooks
Lots of people want to live in Canada because it’s a good place with lots of work. For cooks with experience, getting a job and help with a VISA in Canada is an exciting idea.
There are lots of jobs in food places across Canada. Experts think there will be over 140,000 new jobs by 2028. As older cooks stop working, new people moving to Canada will be important to fill these jobs.
If you know how to cook well, you can maybe get a job in Canada that comes with a work VISA. Let’s look at what you can do to make this happen.
Check Your Cooking Skills and Qualifications
Employers in Canada often look for cooks who have:
- Cooking school degrees, certificates, or diplomas
- At least 3 years cooking in a restaurant or other food place
- Skills in special kinds of cooking or foods that match the job
- Good English or French speaking skills
Think about your cooking education, skills, and language skills. Figure out what you might need to improve and take time to get better or take more classes.
It’s important to show that your cooking school or qualifications are good in Canada. Services like World Education Services can check them and tell you what they are equal to in Canada. You can show this to employers when you apply for jobs.
Aim for Places in Canada That Need Cooks
Some parts of Canada really need cooks from other countries. When you look for jobs, concentrate on these provinces and big cities that have lots of food places:
- Ontario – Cities like Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Kitchener
- British Columbia – Cities like Vancouver and Victoria
- Quebec – Especially Montreal
- Alberta – Cities like Calgary and Edmonton
These cities with lots of cultures can also help new people feel at home.
Look into different neighborhoods or parts of the cities where there are other people from your country, stores that sell things you’re used to, or places you like to go.
Look for Jobs That Help With VISA
Try to find cooking jobs where the employer will help you get a work permit and VISA. Be ready to try hard and be organized.
- Make profiles on big job websites in Canada and share your cooking experience. Get emails when new cooking jobs are posted.
- Get to know groups that help new people in Canada find jobs. They can connect you to employers who are looking for cooks from other countries.
- Think about short training or learning opportunities in Canada to get more experience.
- Go to events where you can meet employers in person.
- If you have family in Canada, ask them to help you by giving out your resume.
- Talk to job agencies in Canada who find people for cooking jobs.
It might take a while, but getting a job with VISA sponsorship will help a lot with moving to Canada.
The Steps to Move to Canada
After you find a cooking job, the employer will ask the Canadian government for permission to hire you from another country.
If they say yes, you will get a work permit for up to three years. You can keep working and renew it afterwards.
In time, if you speak the language well and live there enough, you can ask to stay in Canada forever using the Express Entry system.
Remember that you will need to go through health checks and get police clearance certificates to finish up your visa process. Typically, it takes about four to eight months to process work permits.
What to Expect as a Cook Living and Working in Canada
Once you have the green light to move to Canada for a cooking job, what’s in store for you in terms of life and work?
- Expect to be paid according to what is usual for cooks in Canada. This means earning a minimum wage that ranges from $12 to $15 Canadian dollars an hour, although it can vary from one province to another.
- In big cities like Vancouver and Toronto, the cost of renting a place to live can be high. Sharing a place with others can help lower your living expenses. Make sure you plan your finances carefully.
- Getting around on public transport is easy and you might not need to own a car, especially if you live in a larger city.
- Make sure to fill out all the tax forms you need to. When you work in Canada, you have to contribute to the country’s income tax system.
- In Canadian kitchens, being good at doing several things at the same time is important. Be ready to handle different cooking tasks all at once.
- Working as a cook usually means spending a lot of time on your feet. Having good physical stamina is important.
- Even in Quebec, where French is the main language, kitchens mostly use English. It’s important to understand and speak the language well.
With some groundwork and sticking to it, the dream of moving to Canada for cooking jobs can definitely become true. If you have questions, talk to an immigration lawyer and make sure all your documents are in order. If you love cooking, Canada might just be your next place to call home. Good luck!
Key Steps for Qualified Cooks to Get Canadian Work Visas
With a strong job market and high living standards, Canada is a popular place for people from other countries to move to. As the restaurant scene grows, there’s a big need for qualified cooks all around the nation.
If you’re a cook and you fit what Canada is looking for, getting a work visa backed by an employer is doable. Here’s a rundown of the main steps to take:
1. Get Your Cooking Credentials Checked
It’s very important to have your cooking certifications or degrees from outside Canada officially checked. You’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment from a recognized body.
This checks that your credentials are real and matches them to Canadian standards. Employers in Canada really care about these assessments.
2. Look for In-Demand Cooking Jobs
Dig into job listings to find cooking positions with Canadian companies that are ready to hire from abroad. Look for jobs that match your skills and qualifications.
Search for jobs in big cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal where the restaurant industry is booming. Get on LinkedIn groups to meet others in the food industry.
Meet the Language Requirements
Canada has firm rules about language skills for immigrant cooks. You need to show that you know English or French well by passing a language test.
Aim for scores around CLB 5-8 on tests like the IELTS or TEF Canada for language ability. If your language skills need work, consider taking a preparation course.
1. Improve Your Skills If Needed
Depending on what your credential assessment says and your work experience, you may have to get more training or do apprenticeships in Canada.
This proves to employers that you’re serious about getting better at your craft and fitting into the Canadian job market.
2. Get a Solid Job Offer
What you really need is a good job offer in writing from a Canadian business that wants to sponsor you. This job offer should spell out the details like what you’ll do there, your pay, hours, and other benefits.
Then the company can apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and ask for a temporary work permit for you from the immigration department.
Finish Up Your Visa Application
After you get your LMIA, gather the rest of the papers you need for your visa. This includes things like school marks, police checks, health exam results, and evidence that you have enough money.
If the paperwork is tricky, think about hiring an immigration lawyer to help out. Remember, getting your work visa sorted out in Canada can take a few months, so patience is key.
As long as you are committed and keep at it, skilled cooks can find ways to work legally in Canada. If you have the right experience and qualifications, start getting ready now to make your dream of cooking in Canada come true.
Helpful Hints for Cooks Looking to Get Sponsored Jobs in Canada
With a growing food industry in need of cooks and chefs in Canada, landing a job with visa sponsorship is within reach. Use these handy tips to improve your chances:
- Make your resume stand out to Canadian employers – Adjust your resume to focus on the cooking skills that are in demand in Canada. Highlight your experience with different world cuisines, kitchen skills, education, experience in leading a kitchen team, and how good your English is.
- Go to Canada for job fairs in the food industry – Attend big events for the hospitality field, like trade shows, food festivals, and conventions in major cities. This way, you can meet employers face-to-face.
- Try short-term internships in Canada – Join apprenticeships or work placements in Canadian restaurants or hotels. This can help you make contacts within the country and show you can adapt to new environments.
- Look for work in areas where cooks are needed – Places that are not in the big cities, like some parts of Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, might have a harder time finding immigrant cooks. You have a better shot at getting a visa if you target these areas.
- Get cooking qualifications that Canada recognizes – Certifications like the Red Seal, Quebec DEP, or journeyperson certificates from the provinces show that you meet Canadian cooking standards.
- Work on any skills you’re missing early on – If your assessment shows you’re lacking in some areas, get those skills before you apply to come to Canada. This shows you’re serious about your career.
- Find employment agencies that specialize in your field – These agencies have connections with employers and can match your skills to jobs in kitchens that offer visa sponsorship.
- Show that you’re good with different cultures – As Canada’s culture keeps getting more diverse, being able to cook various international dishes is a big plus.
- Look into provincial immigration programs – Different provinces have their own programs that can help cooks get permanent residency if they can help fill gaps in the local job market.
With the right preparation, cooks who want to move to Canada can certainly find great jobs that will sponsor their visas. Make a good plan for how you’ll look for work. Your perfect job is out there waiting for you.
