Culinary Careers

Culinary arts have become a popular degree program at community colleges across the country. What is fueling this sudden surge of foodies? Some believe it is the growing number of cooking programs on television that tend to glamorize what was once known as a relatively mundane, low-paying industry. TV has also increased interest in food enjoyment, which has further fueled the need for talented chefs – providing more opportunities for those who pursue a two-year degree in culinary arts. As the cycle continues, more college students are taking a serious look at the potential for a culinary arts degree, as well as the best schools to pursue an education in all things culinary.

Los Angeles Colleges See “Explosion” of Enrollment

The culinary arts programs at community colleges in Los Angeles have never been healthier. According to the Daily Breeze, enrollment in some programs has more than doubled within a few years. Some schools are reporting an overflow of students in classes and an even longer waitlist for students who were unable to get into the classes of their choice.

For example, the culinary arts program at Los Angeles Mission College has more than doubled the student population in just three years – from 250 students to 600 currently. The school has recently expanded the space for its program, adding an extensive new facility that boasts seven full kitchens equipped with some of the latest cooking technology. The 40 million dollar facility seemed to

Home brewing has become a popular pastime for brewmasters across the country. The art of mixing hops, malt, and yeast to produce a wide range of beer flavors mixes the best science, math and home economics have to offer. If this list sounds like a roster for higher education courses, that is apparently what some community colleges have thought as well! This craze has moved to campuses, with more and more colleges offering classes in how to brew the perfect glass of ale. We have a listing of some of the colleges featuring beer brewing training, along with the details of the courses they offer.

This video describes the craft brewing, packaging and service operations certificate class at Grand Rapids Community College's Secchia Institute for Culinary Education.

Cabrillo College Gets into the Brewing Act

California resident Mark Taylor has a love of beer brewing that dates back more than a decade. This amateur brewmaster mixes a variety of ales at home, and he keeps four beers on tap in a converted refrigerator. Taylor decided he wanted to share his love of his craft with others and sent proposals for a home brewing course to four different community colleges nearby. According to a report at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, those first four offers fell short, but another community college eventually took Taylor up on his offer.

Cabrillo College in Aptos decided

In the past, students who were interested in stellar culinary or hospitality programs would look to four-year universities to supply the necessary training to launch a successful career. However, community colleges have recognized the rise in popularity of these professions and have responded to the call with state-of-the-art facilities to rival any university.

If you are interested in a career in the hospitality industry, be inspired by what these top community colleges across the country have to offer.

Career Opportunities in the Hospitality Industry

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics separates the hospitality industry into three distinct categories:

• Arts, entertainment, and recreation
• Foodservice and drinking places
• Hotels and other accommodations

The BLS predicts that job opportunities will be plentiful in both the foodservice and hotel category, due to the prevalence of young people within the industry and the high turnover rate. They also estimate that in 2008, there were approximately 546,000 privately owned food and drinking establishments across the United States and more than 64,000 places providing an assortment of accommodation options. In addition, many hotels offer their own restaurants, with chefs and support staff working directly within the hotel industry.

According to the BLS, jobs in the hotel industry are expected to grow at a rate of approximately 5% between 2008 and 2018. Foodservice jobs are expected to grow by 8% within the same time frame. While many individuals gain employment in these industries right out of high school, additional training provides a competitive

Whether people are toasting their good fortune or drowning their sorrows, there is always a demand for qualified bartenders to cater to their needs. This field is one of the most recession-proof industries for those hoping for a steady paycheck in the midst of any economic conditions, according to Bartending.org.

While bartender training can usually be completed in a matter of weeks, the cost for such programs varies greatly. Enter community colleges, once again meeting a vocational training need for as little cost as possible.

Requirements for Bartenders

There are a number of subjects you must master in order to become a highly qualified bartender today, including:

• The ability to mix a wide range of shaken and stirred drinks
• Responsible bartending, including how to recognize intoxicated patrons and respond appropriately
• Complete product knowledge of supplies typically used behind the bar
• Preparation speed to serve a maximum number of customers in a short period of time without sacrificing quality of product or service
• Interpersonal skills to put your customer service offerings ahead of the pack

In addition to the basic skills acquired in a bartending program, students may also need to become certified by the state in responsible bartending. For example, the Connecticut Department of Liquor Control requires bartenders to have both state and national SMART (Servers and Managers Alcohol Responsibility Training), according to the website for Tunxis Community College.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that some vocational training programs can specifically help find

If the combination of flour, sugar, and eggs delight you, then it may be time to consider a career in baking! Today’s community colleges offer specialized baking and pastry arts programs that are perfect for budding culinary artists. Whether you want to start your own bakery or work as the head pastry chef for a five-star restaurant, you can knead your start right at your local community college.

A Career in Baking and Pastry Arts

A Growing Field

Some Americans looking to find new job prospects in these challenging economic times are finding that an age-old skill – preparing delicious food for others to eat – may be the answer to their modern-day job search. An increasing number of community colleges offer training programs that are specially designed for students who would like to embark upon lucrative careers as bakers and pastry chefs. Fortunately for those who love to create delicious baked goods, the job market for professional bakers and pastry chefs appears to be thriving. With proper training and certification, an amateur baker can turn himself or herself into a well-paid professional culinary artist.

What Bakers and Pastry Chefs Do

A pastry chef develops recipes and prepares desserts, which may include cakes, pies, cookies, breads, rolls, sauces, glazes, custards, pastries, and candies. Pastry chefs often work for upscale restaurants, hotels, private clubs, and catering companies. They may also work in retail or wholesale bakeries. The National Restaurant Association reports that in a