At the OCSB, learning extends far beyond the classroom. For students in the Skilled Meals Culinary Co-op Program, education takes place in a professional kitchen through teamwork, mentorship, and meaningful service to the community.
This unique program is helping students discover their passion for the culinary arts while making a real difference for families across Ottawa.
A Recipe for Success
The Skilled Meals Culinary Co-op Program is a partnership between the OCSB, Skills Council Canada, and the Caldwell Family Centre. Together, they are addressing two important needs in our community:
- The growing demand for skilled workers in the hospitality and culinary sectors.
- The increasing challenge of food insecurity in Ottawa.
Students enrolled in the program gain hands-on experience in a professional culinary environment while earning high school credits and industry-recognized certifications. More importantly, they learn how their skills can positively impact the lives of others.
Each week, students prepare more than 200 nutritious meals that are distributed to families, seniors, and children in the Caldwell community. In addition to meal preparation, students also provide catering services for meetings and events and help support the daily lunch service at the OCSB central office.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
For many students, the culinary co-op experience becomes much more than an educational opportunity. It is a chance to build confidence, responsibility, and career-ready skills in a supportive environment.
Students develop technical culinary skills including:
- Food safety and sanitation practices.
- Knife skills and meal preparation techniques.
- Large-scale and small-scale food production.
- Professional kitchen operations.
Beyond technical training, students also strengthen valuable transferable skills such as:
- Teamwork and communication.
- Time management under pressure.
- Problem-solving and adaptability.
- Leadership and professionalism.
The program offers students the opportunity to work alongside experienced mentors while gaining insight into careers in hospitality, culinary arts, and skilled trades.
Building Career-Ready and Community-Conscious Graduates
Programs like Skilled Meals demonstrate how experiential learning can prepare students for future success while helping them become active contributors to their communities.
When students understand that the meals they prepare may become someone's dinner, the learning experience becomes deeply meaningful. Students see firsthand how their work can support others, creating a strong sense of pride, empathy, and purpose.
As the demand for skilled trades and hospitality workers continues to grow, the OCSB remains committed to creating innovative pathways that help students explore rewarding careers while developing practical, real-world experience.
Interested in Joining?
Students interested in learning more about the Skilled Meals Culinary Co-op Program for the summer or the 2026-2027 school year are encouraged to:
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form.
- Speak with their guidance counsellor about available Culinary Co-op opportunities.
At the OCSB, programs like Skilled Meals are helping students discover their strengths, support their communities, and build bright futures, one meal at a time.
