Get a head start in the world’s largest job market.

With hundreds of thousands of jobs worldwide, the Culinary Arts field offers career opportunities across a wide range of jobs, interests and locales, with the potential of fast promotions and increasing earnings.

Course Overview

Students have the opportunity to learn various aspects of the hospitality and food service industries. Numerous areas and professions within culinary arts are explored, including sanitation, garde manger, line cook, bakery, dining room and buffet attendant. Students will also examine various areas of the restaurant industry, such as types of food service operations, service levels, customer service and professionalism. Students interested specifically in food service have the opportunity to earn ProStart certification, a nationally-recognized achievement observed by the food service industry and several post-secondary institutions. All students will learn safe food handling and - with successful test completion - achieve ServSafe certification.

Learning Environment

Time is split between the classroom and lab kitchen. Classroom time is spent learning about different aspects of the Food Service and Lodging industries, including but not limited to food safety, cuisine, preparation, management and nutrition. Students learn how to operate within the kitchen and prepare food, and they work with various equipment, learning weights and measurements. In the lab area, students are taught baking and cooking techniques. Some lifting and carrying of heavy objects may be required. Students should anticipate long periods of standing.

Potential Careers

Participation in Culinary Arts can help prepare you for jobs in areas like:

Private Caterer
Server
Host/Hostess
Manager Trainee
Prep/Line Cook
Housekeeper
Dish Machine Operator
Guest Services
Representative
Sales

With further training and/or education, you could expect Culinary Arts to help launch a career in fields like:

Restaurant/Business Owner
Sous Chef
Housekeeping Manager
Front Office Manager
Catering Director
Pastry Chef

What’s it like?

Instructor Heidi Rocha says: “The class covers both culinary and business aspects of hospitality. The curriculum includes a great deal of hands-on work experience, reading, writing and project-based learning. Early in the school year, students learn safety and sanitation in the classroom. Later, they learn and work in a commercial kitchen two or three days per week. The ability to work well with others and daily attendance are very important. Food Management is very demanding, with students standing for long periods of time. This work requires hand-eye coordination, good personal hygiene and the ability to work quickly and neatly.”

Primary Units of Instruction

(lecture, demonstration and lab work):

Safety & Sanitation
Cooking Techniques
Receiving & Storage
Customer Service
Food/Service Management
Baking/Pastries
Hospitality
Food Handling
Work Ethics

Length of Program:

One Year, two semesters; second year is optional for qualified students

Program Schedule:

A.M. Session - 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
P.M. Session - 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Going to college? Start with CTE

High School Credit and CTE Certification

It is possible to earn articulated college credit through an articulation agreement between CTE and many Michigan community colleges and universities. This credit can only be granted after successful completion of the CTE program and future enrollment at a college or university that has a current articulation agreement with Clare-Gladwin CTE. See your school counselor for more information.

College Partnerships

Ferris State University
The Art Institute

Who’s Up For a Second Helping?

Students interested in returning for the program’s second year must:

Have 10 or fewer absences/less than three tardies in the second semester of Year One
Be a team player and demonstrate program pride and interest
Have an 80 percent average or better in the first year

High School Credit and CTE Certification

Students may earn the state-required fourth-year math-related course credit through this program. Local schools will award high school credit upon successful completion of this program. The CTE Certificate of Completion will be awarded to students who successfully complete their programs.