Template
This template fits a cook who prepares full menu items and helps run the kitchen. For a station-only role, use the line cook template instead.
Cook
[Company name], [City, Province]
[Full-time / Part-time], [schedule]
About us
[Company name] [one or two sentences on what you do, who your customers are and how big the team is].
What you'll do
- Prepare and cook full menu items and [special diets or allergen-free meals].
- Follow recipes, portion sizes and presentation standards.
- Order supplies, track inventory and reduce waste.
- Keep food storage, labelling and temperatures within food safety rules.
- Train and guide kitchen helpers and junior cooks.
- Contribute to menu planning and costing.
- Clean and maintain kitchen equipment and work areas.
What you bring
- [2+] years of cooking experience.
- Culinary diploma or Red Seal certification is an asset.
- Food handler certificate.
- Knowledge of allergens and special diets.
- Availability for [shifts, weekends and holidays].
Pay and benefits
[$X.XX to $Y.YY] per hour, plus [staff meals, benefits, tip-out].
How to apply
Send your resume to [email or application link]. [Add the Ontario disclosures from the builder below if you have 25 or more employees.]
Cook pay by province
Hourly wages Job Bank reports for cooks (NOC 63200). Use the median as a starting point for an experienced hire and the low end for entry level.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60* | $18.00 | $24.00 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $20.00 | $26.00 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $17.50 | $23.50 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $17.00 | $23.08 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $16.50 | $21.00 |
| Quebec | $16.10 | $18.00 | $25.00 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $16.40 | $22.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $17.00 | $22.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $17.00 | $27.54 |
| Canada | $15.00 | $18.00 | $25.00 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $17.60* | $19.00 | $23.00 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $17.60* | $17.60* | $23.00 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $17.60* | $18.35 | $29.15 |
| Toronto | $17.60* | $18.00 | $24.00 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $17.60* | $18.00 | $24.00 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $17.60* | $18.00 | $24.36 |
| London | $17.60* | $18.00 | $23.74 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $17.60* | $18.00 | $22.00 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $17.60* | $19.25 | $23.00 |
| Northeast | $17.60* | $17.60* | $22.00 |
| Northwest | $17.60* | $18.00 | $25.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages for NOC 63200, Cooks, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. Cooks and line cooks share NOC 63200. * Below Ontario's current general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour (since October 1, 2026). You must pay at least the minimum wage.
Turn it into an Ontario job posting
If you have 25 or more employees, publicly advertised postings in Ontario must include pay, say whether the job is an existing vacancy, and disclose AI screening. Fill this in and copy the result.
With fewer than 25 employees these rules don't apply to you yet, but following them makes your posting more competitive and keeps you ready when you grow.
Ontario rules checkHiring a cook in Ontario: what comes next
The posting is step one. These are the obligations most small businesses run into between the offer and the first few weeks.
- Follow up with everyone you interviewEmployers with 25+ employees must tell interviewed applicants whether the job has been filled within 45 days of their last interview, and keep postings and records for three years.
- Put the offer in a written employment contractA written contract isn't mandatory in Ontario, but without one your termination costs are set by the courts rather than by you. The termination clause is the part to get right.
- Register with WSIB if your industry requires itMost Ontario employers must register within 10 days of hiring their first worker. A few industries are exempt, so check before the start date.
- Collect payroll documentsGet the employee's SIN within three days of their start date, plus federal and Ontario TD1 forms for tax withholding.
- Hand over the Employment Standards posterGive new employees the current "Employment Standards in Ontario" poster within 30 days of their start date.
- Complete health and safety awareness trainingEvery worker needs basic health and safety awareness training as soon as practicable after starting.
- Keep a certified food handler on shiftOntario food premises must have at least one person with food handler training on site during every hour of operation.
- Have written harassment and violence policiesRequired once you regularly have six or more workers, and reviewed every year.
Hiring a cook?
Our HR team prepares the employment contract, onboarding documents and policies for Ontario employers, with a flat monthly price and no long-term contract.
Questions employers ask
What does a cook do?
A cook plans and prepares meals, follows recipes and portion standards, orders supplies, keeps the kitchen safe and clean, and may train kitchen helpers.
How much does a cook make in Ontario?
Job Bank reports $17.60 (low), $18.00 (median) and $24.00 (high) per hour for cooks in Ontario, and a median of $18.00 in the Toronto region (reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025). Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.95 per hour as of October 1, 2026. Pay at least the minimum wage, even where Job Bank's low figure is lower.
What is the NOC code for a cook?
The National Occupational Classification code for this role is NOC 63200, Cooks (TEER 3). Use the code that matches the actual duties. Cooks and line cooks share NOC 63200.
Do I have to include pay in an Ontario job posting?
Yes, if you have 25 or more employees. Since January 1, 2026, publicly advertised postings must include the expected pay or a range no wider than $50,000. They must also say whether the posting is for an existing vacancy and disclose if AI is used to screen, assess or select applicants, and they can't require Canadian work experience.
Does a cook need Red Seal certification in Ontario?
No. Cook is a voluntary trade in Ontario, so Red Seal certification isn't required to work as a cook. Some employers list it as an asset or pay more for certified cooks.
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- Job Bank wages, NOC 63200
- Ontario minimum wage
- Your guide to the Employment Standards Act (Ontario)
- National Occupational Classification
This page is general information for employers, not legal advice. Rules change, so check the official sources before you post.