The 4-year Culinary Arts program exposes students to all of the major areas including Culinary Arts (chef, station chef, sous-chef), Baking and Pastry, and Food Service Management. Freshman year gives students the necessary introductions for each core area and will guide them through their sophomore, junior, and senior year. The work in this course will introduce students to all facets of food service operations through immersive techniques. The first year also includes a co-taught portion designed to provide students with knowledge and skills related to commercial food preparation and/or production, with a strong emphasis on safety, knife skills, sanitation, nutrition, balanced diets, and satisfying special dietary needs. Topics typically include assessing nutrient content, the science of food and nutrition, physiology and utilization of nutrients. Course content may also cover additives, contaminants, food- borne illnesses, and food technology.
Each year of study introduces the students to the fundamentals of food safety and sanitation, principles of nutrition, and foundations in the basic fundamentals of commercial food preparation and practices. They progress to a wide variety of advanced culinary objectives as they grow with the program. Students work in the cafeteria kitchen preparing and learning how to prepare food for staff and student meals, and any other events held at the school that help promote their skills and techniques for future success.
The Culinary Arts Academy collaborates with an extraordinary group of industry partners as part of our Advisory Committee. The committee’s input, combined with our extremely knowledgeable staff, establishes a professionally focused and solid foundation that prepares students for future success in the Culinary field. Committee members assist in giving students industry exposure and networking opportunities in, and out of, the classroom. The Advisory Committee has acknowledged the utmost importance for students to have a SERVSAFE® FOOD PROTECTION MANAGER CERTIFICATION prior to graduating. Obtaining the certification is a senior requirement for all students in each program of study.