January 12, 2021 | COVID-19 Update: Chef School is placed on COVID-19 Readiness Plan for DLI

We have finally received some very exciting news – we have been approved by the Government of Canada to reopen for International Students! The approval was made today, January 12, 2021. We appreciate all of the patience you have given Chef School as we navigate these very different times, but are now receiving some very much needed positive news.

This means as an international student, you are now eligible to begin the study permit application process. The length of time it takes to receive a response regarding Visa approval varies among students, generally anywhere from 4-12 weeks.  Once you do receive a response about your application, please Chef School Administration know as soon as possible.  We will require a copy of your study permit when you receive it – although it will not be issued until you arrive at the Canadian border.

REMINDERS:

If you are currently enrolled for a start date of March 1, 2021, you are required to confirm when your Study Permit has been approved and complete the Quarantine Declaration form attached before February 12, 2021 in order to be fully accepted to Chef School. Limited spots available for each start date due to reduced class sizes. If you do not receive approval before this time, you are eligible to start on a different enrolment date.

If you are currently enrolled for a start date of September 13, 2021, you are required to confirm when your Study Permit has been approved and complete the Quarantine Declaration form attached before August 27th, 2021 in order to be fully accepted to Chef School. Limited spots available for each start date due to reduced class sizes. If you do not receive approval before this time, you are eligible to start on a different enrolment date.

Study Permit Border Arrival

When you arrive in Canada, you’ll meet a border services officer. The officer may ask you to show them:

  • a valid passport or travel document
  • the letter of introduction the visa office sent you when they approved your study permit (this letter has your permit reference number which we use to issue your study permit)
  • a copy of a valid letter of acceptance from the school
  • proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Canada
  • letters of reference or any other documents the visa office told you to bring, and
  • either a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
    • If you have a valid eTA, it’ll be linked to the passport you used to apply for your study permit.

You’ll also have to show the officer that you’ll leave Canada at the end of your stay – the Study Permit checklist will help you to better address those concerns.

Important: Study Permit Conditions

Your study permit will have specific conditions that will be outlined, including whether or not you are able to work on or off campus, and if you will be completing a CO-OP work term or internship.  Please be sure to identify that you will be seeking work OFF-campus, as well as completing a CO-OP work term as part of your Chef School studies.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION

 Effective July 5, fully vaccinated international students who meet all requirements at the Canadian border will be exempt from mandatory qurantine and can go straight to their residences. You will still need to have a Quarantine plan in case border officials determine you haven’t met all requirements. Please review the following information to ensure that you make all necessary preparations before arriving in Canada.

The Chef School has an agreement with Canada HomeStay Network: www.canadahomestaynetwork.ca | www.reseauhomestaycanada.ca

The Canada Homestay Network provides economical, safe accommodation where students are able to interact with a local family on a daily basis. It provides a great opportunity for support, learn about the local area, and it often leads to memorable experiences and lasting friendships with your hosts. Homestays are located in appealing, safe neighbourhoods accessible to the school by public transportation. All hosts meet strict standards for safety and cleanliness and at the minimum must provide a furnished room with a window, shared bathroom, bed with linens, private storage for your belongings and clothes, and most importantly, a quiet place to study. The HomeStay Network Team is ready to provide care and support at all times and to answer questions or solve any issues with your homestay. Here are a few of the benefits of joining The Canada Homestay Network for homestay while you study away from home:

  • Over 25 years experience in successful homestay placements
  • Safe and secure placements with vetted host families
  • Guaranteed placements within 30 days of payment receipt
  • Flexible terms of stay ranging from weeks to the full school year
  • Affordable rates
  • Meals are included with choices of meal plans

The sooner an application process is started, the greater number of personal wants and needs that can be matched with an ideal host family. To start the application process immediately, please follow this link: https://student.chnonline.ca/. that the following documentation will be required:

  • Copy of Proof of Citizenship (ie Birth Certificate, Passport, Permanent Residency Card)
  • Letter of Acceptance to a recognized Academic Institution
  • Criminal Record checks with vulnerable sector search completed for all students who have reached the age of majority
  • Fee payment
  • Returned signed student participation agreement
  • Copy of Insurance

You can opt to ONLY use the services for the Quarantine period if you already have made other accommodations arrangements or if you will be staying with family or friends.

Below you can review all the protocols for the Quarantine process:

September 1, 2020 | COVID-19 UPDATE: Quarantine Guidelines Released

In efforts to keep our students safe and informed, we’ve released COVID-19 Quarantine guidelines for our international students.  Students can find information and resources by visit our quarantine page located here: Quarantine Guide for International Students

August 10, 2020 | COVID-19 UPDATE: Fall Semester

As we work to navigate our way through this pandemic, The Culinary Arts School of Ontario remains committed to providing career focused culinary education to both our domestic and international students.

Currently we are accepting online applications for all of our programs beginning in September 2020 and January 2021.  Subject to the guidance provided by government and public health authorities,  theory classes will continue to be offered online and practical components will begin in the learning kitchen,  at a recommended capacity, starting in September.

International Students must arrive a full two weeks (14 days) before their start date, allowing appropriate time to self-isolate and quarantine before arriving on campus.

If you are experiencing cold or flu like symptoms or believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you must stay at home and self-isolate.  You may be denied entry into Canada.

The safety of our community members, students and staff remains our top priority. We have implemented a variety of safety and cleaning protocols to ensure a safe environment for our students,  teachers and staff.  As we move into this new phase of reopening, we’ll continue to keep you updated with  any and all news as it becomes relevant to our students.

We continue to look forward in these challenging times and eagerly anticipate the arrival of our new students this fall.

David Buchanan
President and CEO

August 4th, 2020 | COVID-19 Update : Resources for International Students

As we continue to move forward towards the fall semester, it’s our commitment to ensure our students returning to campus, have the most up to date resources available.  We are currently updating our international students guide with additional COVID-19 related resources, such as safe transportation, food delivery services and safe temporary accommodations.  Please see the list below and as always, keep checking back here for the most up to date information.

July 29, 2020 | COVID-19 Update : Toronto to Enter Stage 3 of Reopening

The Government of Ontario  announced today that Peel Region will enter Stage 3 of reopening as of Friday, July 31st, 2020.

With stage 3, restrictions will be loosened, meaning nearly all businesses and public spaces will reopen with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place.

The advancement to Stage 3 will not impact the educational plan of The Culinary Arts School of Ontario.  We will still be providing both interactive online and in-person culinary education to our students in the Fall 2020 term.  All of our theory courses will be offered as an online course component and all practical components will be completed on campus in our learning kitchen with safety measures and physical distancing in place.

In keeping with the recommendations of public health and government authorities, practices may change, please continue to refer to this page for updates and information regarding our latest developments in conjunction with COVID-19.

July 05, 2020 | COVID-19 Update : Mandatory Masks

As we at The Culinary Arts School of Ontario gradually begin to reopen our kitchens, new health and safety measures have been put in place. These measures include the mandatory wearing of masks in indoor spaces.

Mandatory Masks

Masks are to be worn within all areas of our building, with the only exemptions for employees working in private offices and/or personal work space where 6ft of physical distancing can be maintained. In addition, students and employees who are unable to safely wear a mask due to medical reasons will be exempt.

The Culinary Arts School of Ontario will happily provide non-surgical masks to students who do not have their own masks for $1 each.

Students who are unable to wear face masks should inform our main offices by email (info@chefschool.ca) citing the reason for their exemption.

Masks and face coverings are an additional measure used to help prevent the spread of infection in addition to physically distancing, carrying out proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, and staying at home if ill.

As always, visit this page for the most up-to-date information.