Program Overview

Introduction to the Culinary Arts & Restaurant Operations Program

The Culinary Arts department offers one Associate of Arts degree and three certificates. The curriculum is designed to accommodate both novice cooks and individuals with some cooking experience, training professionals for entry-level jobs in the food service industry.

Program Details

• The program includes an Associate of Arts degree and three certificates: Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry, and Restaurant Operations.
  • Estimated certificate costs are based on in-state tuition and include books, uniform, and supplies:
    • Culinary Arts Certificate: $3,033
    • Baking & Pastry Certificate: $2,438
    • Restaurant Operations Certificate: $1,604

Career Opportunities

The Culinary Career Center connects students and graduates with over 400 local employers, including restaurants, hotels, caterers, and wineries in Northern California and the Bay Area.

Program Structure

• Courses are generally 8 weeks in length, 1-4 days/week, with two 8-week sessions in both the Fall and Spring semesters.
• A few classes are offered during the Summer.
• There is no minimum or maximum time to complete certificates, and many students work while enrolled, attending classes part-time.

Certificate Completion

• Restaurant Operations certificate: 11-13 courses
• Culinary Arts certificate: 11 courses
• Baking & Pastry certificate: 9 courses
• Several courses overlap between certificates.
• Faculty assist students in creating a schedule each semester tailored to their individual situation.

Associate of Arts Degree Completion

• The degree is comprised of Culinary Arts Department courses and General Education courses.
• Students are recommended to consult with Culinary Arts Department faculty on their course sequence and certificate progress.
• For completion of General Education courses and A.A. degree requirements, students are recommended to consult with the college's Counseling Department.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete two prerequisite courses, CUL 250 Sanitation and Safety and CUL 250.1 Culinary Arts Survey, before advancing to additional courses in the program.
• These prerequisite courses are required for all certificates and A.A. degrees but need only be successfully completed once.

Class Scheduling and Registration

• Classes fill up quickly, but once started in the program, students have priority registration, making it easier to get into classes.
• If desired classes are full, students can attend the first class and ask the instructor if there is room to add, at which point they will be given an add code if available.

Uniform and Equipment Requirements

• A uniform is required for all culinary arts lab classes and the Restaurant Dining Room Service class.
• Instructors notify students of specific uniform, knife kit, and textbook requirements before the first week of classes.

Facilities

• Classes are held in the B. Robert Burdo Culinary Arts Center at 1670 Mendocino Avenue, across the street from the Santa Rosa Campus.