Culinary Arts Degree Program Video
Culinary Arts Degree Program Video Transcript
Are you interested in learning to cook ethnic food, become a pastry chef or learn the basics of catering? Are you a 'foodie' who enjoys baking bread, cake decorating or candy making? A culinary arts degree could turn your hobby into a creative, exciting, fast-paced career.
If being a chef is your life-long dream maybe it's time to consider enrolling in a culinary arts institute or cooking school. There are a variety of certificate, diploma and degree programs available.
Training in the culinary arts teaches students to prepare exemplary meals. Students learn the importance of nutrition, quality ingredients, seasoning, presentation and proper cooking methods. This degree program teaches students the art, the science and the business of cooking.
A graduate of a Culinary Arts degree program will have earned the title of 'Chef'. The chef in a professional kitchen is typically responsible for a variety of duties, including planning menus, developing recipes, ordering provisions and cooking meals in a variety of food service venues, from hospital cafeterias to four-star restaurants.
In large kitchens there are many levels of chefs, cooks, line cooks, prep workers and other kitchen staff. Often, cooks and food prep workers receive little formal training. Chefs, on the other hand, have usually graduated from a culinary institute or cooking school and hold a certificate, diploma or degree in Culinary Arts. Schools have different systems of degrees or certificates and offer various levels of training to fit the goals and education levels of each student.
Some private institutes offer certificate programs by topic, such as pastry making or seafood, allowing students to eventually earn a diploma by obtaining a series of these certificates. Other schools offer a one-year Certificate in Culinary Arts program which covers the basics in many culinary areas.
Some colleges offer only two-year associate's degrees in culinary arts or in specialties, such as baking and pastry. Larger institutions may offer both associates and bachelor's degree programs in Culinary Arts or Culinary Management. Associate's programs are popular with those who already hold a bachelor's degree or are changing careers.
Students in a Bachelor of Culinary Arts degree program will take courses in baking breads, pastry creations and cake decorating, salads, meats and ethnic cuisine. Other typical courses may include:
- Catering and Banquets
- Budgeting and Buying Food
- Food Safety Basics
- Basics of Menu Development
- Restaurant Operations
- Computer Applications for Restaurants
Talented and well trained chefs are in demand in a variety of food service settings. There is a lot of competition, however, for jobs at high quality establishments. A degree in Culinary Arts may qualify you for jobs in related fields, too, such as:
- Food stylist
- Culinary teacher
- Food writer
- Food research specialist
Higher Learning/Graduate Studies Opportunities
Some advanced degrees are available in related fields, such as a Master of Science in Hospitality or a Master of Business Administration in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Chefs also may pursue industry certification as Master Chefs.
A degree in the Culinary Arts can open doors to a fast-paced and creative field where hard-working indviduals with both talent and training will find opportunities to succeed and the chance to express their passion for food.