Culinary Arts student

Culinary Arts

Are you passionate about the art of cuisine? Ready to turn your love for cooking into a rewarding career?

A culinary professional is a chef, cook, or other food preparation worker who has received formal training in the culinary arts. They work in restaurants, hotels, resorts and other food service establishments to prepare and cook a wide variety of dishes.

Culinary professionals can specialize in a particular type of cuisine, such as pastry arts, sous vide, molecular gastronomy, or ethnic specialties like Italian, Chinese, or Indian. They may work as executive chefs, sous chefs, line cooks, pastry chefs, or in other roles within a professional kitchen.

Sharpen your skills, unleash your creativity and embark on a delicious journey toward culinary mastery.

Enroll today and let your culinary dreams take flight!

Why Choose Culinary Arts at COM

  • Gain experience with faculty who have a hands-on and personalized approach to instruction.
  • You’ll start cooking on the second week of class and participate in a “Chop Challenge” to identify your key strengths and interests.
  • New, state-of-the-art food service equipment.
  • New dining facility open to the public (coming Spring 2025).

Choose Your Path

Associate of Applied Science – Culinary Arts

Students delve into foundational culinary principles, including knife skills, food safety, nutrition and meal planning. They gain hands-on experience in state-of-the art kitchens, honing their abilities in preparing a diverse range of cuisines. The curriculum covers baking and pastry, culinary nutrition, a la carte cooking, international and regional cuisine and culinary supervision and management.

Associate of Science Degree Plan

Certificate – Professional Cook

Students master solid foundational culinary skills, making them eligible for entry-level positions in restaurants, catering services, and other culinary establishments. This program is a valuable credential for those eager to start their culinary careers with a practical and targeted approach.

Certificate Degree Plan

Culinary Jobs in Industries

  • Corporations
  • Hotel and Tourism
  • Restaurants
  • Private Clubs
  • Catering

Jobs Typically Involve

  • Preparing and cooking meals and desserts according to recipes and menu specifications
  • Ordering ingredients and supplies to maintain adequate inventory
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment to comply with health and safety regulations
  • Collaborating with other kitchen staff to ensure efficient service
  • Developing new recipes and menus to keep offerings fresh and appealing
  • Managing kitchen staff and operations as an executive chef or sous chef

Program Details

Next Start Date

Fall 2024

Learning Format

Face to Face plus Practicum

Program Length

Certificate: 2 semesters
AAS: 5 semesters

Degree Plan

View in course catalog

Let’s Connect!

Career Insights

Occupational summary for positions in Professional Kitchens

Group icon

174,400 Number of Jobs
(2022)

Graph icon

5% Projected Growth
(2022)

Money icon

$48-63K yr* Median Salary
(Chefs, Head Cooks and
Food Service Managers)

Source: Lighthouse.io
* With AAS Culinary Arts Degree

Young lady in a lab setting mixing chemicals.

Your Journey Begins Here

 

Additional Program Info

Information Sessions

Currently there are no upcoming information sessions.

Program Requirements

Students must purchase the following items:

  • Industry-approved Knife Kit
  • Black Chef Jacket
  • Black or Checkered Chef Pants
  • Professional Cooking Book
  • Study Guide
  • ServSafe Certificate
Steps to Admission
Explore Professional Organizations
 

Stay Connected with COM: