Head Chefs

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Good for chefs (NOC 62200) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Long-standing vacancies in some regions have prompted some employers to try recruiting candidates outside of the province. While Red Seal certification is an asset, many employers are willing to hire skilled or experienced applicants who do not have it, or who are currently apprenticing. In the current labour market, qualified applicants should not have too much difficulty finding employment, though this will vary depending on which part of the province they are in. Some chef positions are with institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes. Further, some recruitment in this occupation occurs through personal networks, so jobseekers may benefit from enquiring with employers directly about opportunities in some cases.Here are some key facts about chefs in Nova Scotia: Approximately 1,800 people work in this occupation. Chefs mainly work in the following sectors: Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 76%Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 7% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 85% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 15% compared to 18% for all occupations36% of chefs work all year, while 64% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.13% of chefs are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 74% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 26% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 8% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 26% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 20% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 32% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 10% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Good for chefs (NOC 62200) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.The prospect for employment in this occupation is positive over the forecast period. Employers rely on the Temporary Foreign Worker program to fill temporary jobs/vacancies in this occupation when qualified Canadian labour is not available. Job opportunities for chefs are mainly driven by the level of consumer spending and tourism activities in food services including restaurants, and to a lesser extent, in accommodation services such as hotels. There were considerable gains in tourist traffic in 2025 as well as another strong cruise ship season which generated significant economic spin-offs in the sector. Looking forward, the Island’s tourism sector is expected to maintain its momentum thanks in part to a new five-year growth strategy introduced in 2024. The plan aims to expand tourism activity in the province and generate more visitor traffic during the shoulder and winter seasons. This in turn should contribute to improved job prospects over the forecast period.However a key challenge for operators was staffing shortages, particularly for red seal chefs and sous-chefs. Employment prospects tend to be better in population centres where the concentration of accommodation and food establishments is greater. Job openings can be seasonal particularly in rural areas where resorts and tourist facilities may only open for part of the year. Workers with experience preparing ethnic cuisines may have improved prospects given the growing cultural diversity of the province. Chefs interested in establishing their own business may wish to explore appropriate investment opportunities.Here are some key facts about chefs in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 200 people work in this occupation. Chefs mainly work in the following sectors: Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 63%Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 13%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 11%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 16% for all occupations38% of chefs work all year, while 62% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 36 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.14% of chefs are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 62% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 38% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 27% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 18% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 38% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 7% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

Newfoundland and Labrador

The employment outlook will be Moderate for chefs (NOC 62200) in Newfoundland and Labrador for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities may vary depending on the time of the year.Job opportunities for chefs are mainly driven by the level of consumer spending and tourism activities in food services including restaurants, and to a lesser extent, in accommodation services such as hotels. While Red Seal certification is an asset, many employers are willing to hire skilled or experienced applicants who do not have it, or who are currently apprenticing.Here are some key facts about chefs in Newfoundland and Labrador: Approximately 500 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Chefs mainly work in the following sectors: Food services and drinking places (NAICS 722): 76%Accommodation services (NAICS 721): 9% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 90% compared to 83% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 10% compared to 17% for all occupations33% of chefs work all year, while 67% work only part of the year, compared to 56% and 43% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 33 weeks compared to 40 weeks for all occupations.Less than 5% of chefs are self-employed compared to an average of 8% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 76% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 24% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 6% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 16% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 30% compared to 17% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 37% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 10% compared to 14% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 7% for all occupations