Culinary Arts
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The culinary industry is a unique blend of art and food. If you can create a dish that appeals to at least a small segment of the population, you can be successful. Most people eat three times a day, and when they are not actively eating, they are thinking about when and where their next meal will be. Not many industries experience this sort of stability when it comes to demand for their products. But, don’t be led to believe that becoming a chef is easy.
The culinary industry is one in which you will likely be required to work your way up through the ranks, from pantry cook to line cook to sous chef. Your career path will depend upon many factors. If you choose to work in a smaller restaurant there might only be one or two assistants to accompany the head chef, but in a larger, busier restaurant there could be multiple chefs, cooks and apprentices.
This Center of Excellence program is for seniors interested in the art of preparing foods that are not only tasteful and satisfying, but visually appealing.
Credit hours
You can earn up to 12 hours from the Arts Institute, nine hours from Le Cordon Bleu, seven hours from Johnson and Wales, or 7 hours in MCC’s affiliated chef apprenticeship program.
What you’ll learn.
During this program you will earn ServSafe® certification and learn about foods such as:
- potatoes and grains
- desserts and baked goods
- meat, poultry and seafood
- stocks, soups and sauces
To help you prepare for the industry, you will become knowledgeable on:
- the art of service
- how to promote a restaurant or catering business
- how to prepare a menu marketing and the menu
- purchasing and inventory control
- standard accounting practices
- tourism and the retail industry
- how to create a good customer experience
- communication
You will also learn about the history of food service and the lodging industry.
Schedule
This program is a one-year program that serves as the second year of the two-year ProStart® commercial culinary arts program.
You’ll take classes at
Herndon Career Center
11501 E. 350 Highway
Raytown, MO 64138
Prerequisites
Minimum 2.0 GPA
90% attendance
Reading, writing, and math at the 10th grade level (courses in foods, nutrition, health and business are recommended)
Algebra I with a C grade or better
You must successfully complete the Year-One ProStart® curriculum if it is available at your high school and pass the Year-One ProStart® examination. If you go to a school without ProStart®, you must complete an advanced foods and nutrition class with a minimum B grade AND have a written recommendation from your advanced foods teacher.
Other requirements
You will be responsible for supplying your own “chef’s” coat to be worn during the culinary arts program. You can occasionally be required to work after regular school hours in order to participate in catered events. You will also be required to pay a $75 consumable materials charge per semester and a $35 ServSafe® certification fee. You total cost for this program will be approximately $185.
Demand and Pay
Below are wages and expected employment growth according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration’s O*NET career exploration and job analysis tool.
Chefs and Head Cooks (associate’s or higher)
Median wages: $19.27 hourly, $40,090 annual (pending the type of restaurant)
Number of people already in the industry: 108,000
Projected job openings (2008-2018): 10,800
Bakers (associate’s or higher)
Median wages: $11.36 hourly, $23,630 annual (pending the type of restaurant)
Number of people already in the industry: 152,000
Projected job openings (2008-2018): 39,200
Food Service Managers (associate’s or higher)
Median wages: $22.70 hourly, $47,210 annual (pending the type of restaurant)
Number of people already in the industry: 339,000
Projected job openings (2008-2018): 83,700
Skills, character and physical traits of successful people in this career:
- Creativity and innovation
- Ability to communicate verbally with co-workers and customers
- Appreciation for color and design principles
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Attention to detail
- Ability to deal with high stress
To apply
Contact your high school counseling office to complete an application, student contract and student essay of interest.
Your school will determine if you meet the program criteria. If you do not, but your counselor or principal feel you can be successful in the program, they can recommend you.
