Asian Culinary Arts

Diploma: Certificate

Location: Downtown

International students admissibility: Accepts International Students

Chef in a white uniform and hat focuses intently on cooking with a wok in a busy kitchen. Students in dark uniforms watch attentively.

In this page

Overview

Through Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese cuisines, students will gain basic skills in professional wok cooking and develop fundamental cooking principles and techniques. This unique learning opportunity provides extensive hands-on training in a professional kitchen and an industry experience to prepare students for employment and advancement in the hotel/restaurant/food service industry focusing on Asian cuisine.

Tuition N/A
Credential Certificate
Length The Asian Culinary Arts Certificate Program is two consecutive terms in length. Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete the credential.
Hours Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Delivery Class-based
Campus Downtown
Start Dates Feb, Sep
Tuition N/A
Credential Certificate
Length The Asian Culinary Arts Certificate Program is two consecutive terms in length. Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete the credential.
Hours Classes are generally run on Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Class times are subject to change.
Delivery Class-based
Campus Downtown
Start Dates Feb, Sep
PGWP Not listed as eligible

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What to expect

  • 32 weeks of full-time study
  • Classes Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Schedules during the 4-week work experience course will vary depending on placement)
  • A fully equipped commercial kitchen with professional wok stations
  • Cooking and customer service experience in VCC cafeteria
  • Industry work experience
  • Hands-on learning
  • Classroom instruction
  • Active participation
  • Teamwork
  • Critical thinking
  • Practical assessments
  • Course assignments
  • Theory quizzes

What you will learn

  • Apply cookery skills and knowledge to the preparation, presentation, and service of a range of Asian culinary dishes for a commercial hospitality environment.
  • Demonstrate basic competence in professional wok skills, techniques, knowledge, and safety.
  • Evaluate products for consistency and accuracy in yield, taste, flavour, and overall appearance according to product specifications and standards.
  • Adhere to industry standards and procedures for food and kitchen safety and sanitation in a production kitchen.
  • Apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for success and sustainable professional practice in the Asian culinary industry.
  • Critically self-reflect on performance to identify and enhance professional skills.

Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion

The Asian Culinary Arts Certificate Program is two consecutive terms in length. Students have a maximum of 3 years to complete the credential.

Job prospectives

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  • Dental Equipment Technician or Specialist
  • CAD / CAM Designer for Dental Restorations
  • Dental Laboratory Manager
  • Dental Technology Instructor

Admission Requirement

  • Knowledge of English demonstrated by one of the following:
  • Any grade 10 Mathematics or equivalent, or department approval
Upon Acceptance
  • Valid Food Safe Level 1 Certificate (certification must remain valid throughout the program)
  • Applicants must be able to physically handle: all seafood including but not limited to fish & shellfish, beef, lamb, pork, all types of poultry, all types of game, all dairy products, and all associated by-products required to meet the program outcomes.
  • Any known food allergies must be disclosed to the department.

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended Characteristics

  • Ability to work independently and in teams
  • Interpersonal and respectful communication skills
  • Ability to manage time effectively
  • Some creativity is an asset
Considerations: This program can be physically taxing, with students typically needing to perform motor skills and hand-eye coordination over extended time periods, including a need to stand over hot stoves. The physical demands of the profession may worsen existing wrist, shoulder, and back conditions. Note: Some travel to alternate locations will be required during the work experience course.

Program Availability

Not currently available.

Not currently available.

Courses

Full-time

Course list is not available at the moment.

Full-time
ACUL 1100 Asian Kitchen Orientation 4
ACUL 1105 Fundamentals of Asian Cooking 4.5
ACUL 1110 Basic Asian Cooking Techniques 1 4.5
ACUL 1115 Basic Asian Cooking Techniques 2 4.5
ACUL 1220 Intermediate Asian Cooking Techniques 1 4.5
ACUL 1225 Intermediate Asian Cooking Techniques 2 5.5
ACUL 1230 Asian Production Kitchen 4.5
ACUL 1240 Asian Culinary Work Experience 4
Total Credits 36

This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and Costs

Application fee $36
Tuition $2,053
Student union $141
College initiative $59
Materials not including textbooks
Campus resource $82
Laundry
Uniform (Deposit)
Medical & Dental Provided by Student Union
U-Pass $235 Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more.
Graduation $45
Total $2,650

Books & Supplies

  • Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
  • Additional costs:
    • Textbooks – Approx. $500
    • Student kits – Approx. $5,100 + tax

Open Educational Resources(OER) at VCC

No-cost textbooks are available for this program.

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Tuition deposit $12,100 $10,000 non-refundable

Tuition deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Application fee $145
Tuition $22,770
Student union $145
College initiative $114
Materials not including textbooks
Campus resource $82
Laundry
Uniform (Deposit)
Medical & Dental Provided by Student Union
Temporary medical insurance $149 Medical Insurance for International Students
U-Pass $376 Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more.
Graduation $45
Total $23,970
  • Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
  • Additional costs:
    • Textbooks – Approx. $500
    • Student kits – Approx. $5,100 + tax

* Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.

Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.

Application Process

Applications for February 2026 intake are open until January 26, 2026. Send an application form by mail or contact VCC Registrar's Office for details.

International students must contact International Education advisors to confirm their study eligibility and the Continuing Studies (CS) department to verify their program eligibility.

Application information is not available at the moment.

Contact us

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Program information

Program head name

janedoe@vcc.ca

Advising

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca

For International students

study@vcc.ca

127

Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and we acknowledge our privilege to be here.