About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 3 Year Advanced Diploma
  • Campus: Niagara-on-the-Lake
  • Code: 0464 P0464
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Overview

Are you interested in a career that combines food science with culinary skills to ensure the development of safe and delicious food from farm to table?

As a Culinary Innovation and Food Technology graduate, you are a culinary innovator with the unique ability to develop and improve foods, products and operations; reduce food safety risks and ensure regulations are met; and provide nutritional labelling and analysis.

Highlights
  • State-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

  • The School of Culinary Arts at Niagara College is renowned for its outstanding reputation with graduates, employers and industry partners.

  • Co-op work term offers work integrated learning experience in food science and product development.

  • Collaboration with Research and Innovation Centre provides applied research opportunities to many students.

Career Opportunities
  • Food production manager
  • Food research and development manager
  • Food technologist
  • Product developer
  • Quality assurance manager
  • Research chef
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Courses

Term one (2024 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
CHEM1105 Introduction to Food Chemistry 3
CULN1112 Introduction to Product and Process Engineering 3
CULN1121 Introduction to Food Principles 3
NUTN1175 Nutrition 3
CULN1148 Garde Manger I 3
CULN1145 Culinary Techniques I 3
CULN1150 Culinary Essentials 3
Term two (2025 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
ENGL1098 Language and Communications 3
CULN1115 Nutrition for Food Technology 3
CULN1221 Understanding Quality Ingredients 3
CULN1248 Garde Manger II 3
CULN1245 Culinary Techniques II 3
BAKG1110 Baking Essentials 3
Term three (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
BAKG1445 Integrated Baking Production for the Processing Engineer 3
BIOL1130 Introduction to Microbiology 3
CHEM1205 Food Chemistry I 4
COMM1088 I-Think: The Science of Thinking and Problem Solving 3
CULN1223 Food Law and Regulations 3
CULN1423 Food and Wine Dynamics 3
MATH1150 Mathematics of Functions 3
Term four (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
BIOL1230 Food Microbiology I 4
COMM1430 Technical Communications 3
CULN1224 Functional Ingredients and Additives 3
CULN1226 International Cuisine in Food Development 3
CULN1227 Packaging and Shelf Life Analysis 3
CULN1228 Product and Process Engineering I 3
MATH1310 Statistical Concepts 3
Term five (Co-op) (2026 Spring)
Code Course Name Credits
COOP1300 Co-op Work Term 0
Term six (2026 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
CHEM1305 Food Chemistry II 4
CULN1312 Modern Culinary Applications 3
CULN1313 Preserving and Curing 3
CULN1314 Product and Process Engineering II 3
CULN1315 Quality Control 3
CULN1323 Culinary Innovation 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Term seven (2027 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
ACCT9700 Financial and Managerial Accounting 3
CULN1311 Food Sensory Analysis 3
CULN1324 Food Microbiology II 4
CULN1325 Recipe Development 3
CULN1326 Food Research and Capstone Project 3
Elective Information

Completion of additional General Education elective 1 course required

Program Outcomes Term: 1244
  1. Determine testing, processing and food stability and safety using proper food science principles.

  2. Maintain a healthy, safe work environment and contaminate free food service.

  3. Determine preparation techniques and ingredient selection for food processing and innovative product development.

  4. Plan, prepare and present meals and baking products using fundamental culinary techniques

  5. Process engineer for a wide range of food groups including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish dairy and poultry.

  6. Prepare packaging and storing techniques for food products including extending shelf life.

  7. Apply fundamental nutritional principles to all aspects of food production.

  8. Implement quality control procedures in manufacturing and processing of food.

  9. Analyze and develop innovative food products using food chemistry and food microbiology principles.

  10. Determine and assess budget and cost control methods in food processing.

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Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
Recommended Courses and/or Skills:

These courses and skills may help you succeed academically in this program, but they are not required for admission.

  • Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)
  • Chemistry – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Program Requirements
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer/Technology Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows 10 based desktop or laptop system that meets or exceeds the following general personal computer technology requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop system running on an updated Microsoft Windows 10 operating system.
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory.
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities (a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps) is recommended.

Niagara College will not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications. Any provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses (supported under the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system) will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: There is no support for Chromebooks or Apple products for this program. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Culinary Innovation and Food Technology (Co-op) program below.

  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Culinary Management (Co-op)
  • NC Pathway
    This program grants Advanced Standing to qualified graduates of:
    Niagara College Culinary Skills
  • From NC to
    Royal Roads University Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism Management Canada
  • From NC to
    Royal Roads University Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management Canada
  • From NC to
    Seneca College Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Canada
Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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Co-op

A program with a co-op (co-operative education) component means that the curriculum combines an in-class education along with hands-on experience of working a job in the program's field of study.

During co-op work terms students are able to link what they learned in the classroom in a real workplace. Understanding the skills they've developed academically helps create a more meaningful college experience, and means they are better prepared for their career after graduation.

For Students
  • Co-op terms are paid. Earn while you learn!
  • Practice the skills you’ve learned in the classroom.
  • Gain experience in your field of study before you graduate.
  • Develop references and connections.
  • Hone your skills with feedback from your employer.
Learn More About Co-op @ NC
For Employers
  • Low cost with tax credits and other funding available.
  • Hire for peak season, staff coverage, special projects, etc.
  • Help prepare students with career-related work experience.
  • Minimal training required.
  • Proven recruiting strategy for future staff.
Hire NC Co-op Students

I am thoroughly impressed with the Culinary Innovation and Food Technology program, and Niagara College. This program allowed me to learn culinary skills and food science in one program. The program’s small class sizes allowed me to learn from highly educated professors and to work beside highly skilled chefs, learning from their many years in the industry. Where else could I get this all in one program or college.

Scot Dupuis, Culinary and Innovation Technology graduate
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