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Program Overview

The University of Tennessee Culinary Program is an eight-week intensive series of classes totaling 200 hours that teaches the foundations of culinary arts. The program is recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) as an approved program, indicating that it meets or exceeds industry standards for education and training.

Program Details

• The program is offered by the UT Center for Professional Education & Lifelong Learning.
• It is a full-time, eight-week, 200-hour course that prepares students for a career in restaurants, hotels, catering, food trucks, and more.
• Students train in a fully-equipped commercial kitchen and a special culinary classroom, learning from industry experts.
• Access to the online application of the On Cooking textbook is provided, offering recipe conversions, culinary production systems, updated recipe costs, and more, for a period of two years.

Enrollment and Payment Details

• The fee for the program is $6,249, which includes all required books and materials.
• Payment options include:
  • Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover)
  • Cash
  • Certified check or money order (made payable to The University of Tennessee)
  • Sallie Mae Student Loans
• Military and Veterans’ Benefits: The VA Education Benefits help fund or cover expenses for Non-College Degree Programs, like the Culinary Certificate Program.

Admission Criteria

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent is required for enrollment.
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
• No previous college experience is necessary.
• Previous kitchen experience is beneficial but not required.

Scholarships and Financing

• A limited number of partial scholarships for the UT Culinary Program are offered through the American Culinary Federation’s Smoky Mountain chapter.
• Scholarship funds are granted for ACF-approved continuing education hours and certification expenses.

Career Opportunities

• Graduates can pursue careers as food truck chefs/owners, catering business owners, or sous chefs.
• Although an immediate job is not guaranteed, program chefs continue to mentor and help graduates discover their own path toward a culinary career.

Program Schedule

• The program is offered three sessions per year.
• The next available session starts March 2, 2026.