Culinary arts
students prepare for careers in the food service industry.
Although culinary career training is typically earned in post-secondary schools, there are high schools and technical schools across the country that prepare students to enter the job market directly out of high school. Students in these schools receive training in addition to traditional secondary level coursework that prepares them for careers as chefs, restaurant managers, pastry chefs, line cooks and caterers. The American Culinary Federation, an organization for professionals employed in food service, accredits secondary schools across the country. Graduates of an accredited secondary program receive certification from the federation and may elect to continue their culinary arts education or enter the workforce.
Northeastern United States
Berks Career and Technology Center, with locations in Oley and Leesburg, Pennsylvania, offers high school students a culinary arts program that combines classroom training with real-life experience working in the schools' on-site restaurants. In addition to food handling and preparation education, students are taught hospitality management and front-of-house skills such as hosting and nutrition. At the Joseph P. Keefe Technical School in Framingham, Massachusetts, Culinary Arts students gain skills to prepare them for careers in the food service industry such as cook, caterer, dining room manager and baker. Graduating students are ServSafe certified by the National Restaurant Association and have experience working in the student-run restaurant on campus. The Joseph P. Keefe Technical School provides first-year students with an exploratory program to sample other technical programs of interest before settling on a culinary arts education path.
Southeastern United States
Commercial foods and culinary arts students at the William McFatter Technical Center in Davie, Florida, receive education in food preparation, including sauce and stock making, baking and pastries, and general commercial food production. Restaurant and catering management coursework such as purchasing, receiving and beverage service is also included in the culinary arts program. Graduating students at McFatter Tech receive a certification in culinary arts and matriculation into Broward Community College.
Central United States
Students at Lorain County JVS in Oberlin, Ohio, have the option of enrolling in either a culinary arts program or a bakery pastry arts program. In addition to food preparation skills, students also receive coursework in areas including cost control, commercial equipment handling and menu planning. Specialty skills such as ice carving and cake decorating are also covered. At the Northland Career Center in Platte City, Missouri, students in the culinary arts program gain hands-on cooking experience through the daily preparation of breakfast and lunch. Students attend three hours of culinary class daily, learning restaurant and cooking skills including knife skills, food presentation and nutrition. Students completing the Culinary Arts program may transfer credits to Johnson Community College and have the opportunity to compete for scholarships for continuing education.
Western United States
The West Sound Technical Skills School in Bremerton, Washington, offers a two-year culinary arts program for high school students. The program consists of 1,080 hours of classroom time and teaches cooking skills as well as safe handling techniques kitchen management. Successful completion of the course earns students a five-year ServSafe certification as well as transferable technical school credits. The restaurant management program at the Clark County Skills Center provides students with foundation skills for a career in commercial food production. Located in Vancouver, Washington, the Clark County Skills Center offers coursework in food preparation, menu planning and costing, knife skills and catering. Specialty skills including melon carving and working with chocolate are also taught. Students may elect either a one- or two-year curriculum, earning three high school credits annually.
Tags: culinary arts, arts program, culinary arts program, high school, United States