Culinary Arts
Program Description
Mrs. Kathy Zay, Culinary Arts Instructor

Culinary Arts provides an opportunity for students to be involved in the largest growing occupational area in the United States. Students take an active leadership role, they plan, organize and order for the restaurant and special catering/community events while being empowered to make decisions based on daily operations.

Students are prepared for national certification from the National Restaurant Association, accomplished through classroom instruction, laboratory experiences in a professional kitchen using industry equipment and job-related training.
Program Highlights
The curriculum is provided by ProStart, through the National Restaurant Association, and students who pass a national exam and work 400 hours in the industry can receive scholarships towards college expenses.

The students learn customer relations, safety and serving safe food, kitchen basics, food service equipment, nutrition, business math, foodservice costing, menu planning and marketing, purchasing, travel and tourism, interpersonal skills and basic preparations in stocks, soups, sauces, meats, poultry, seafood, fruits, vegetables, desserts, potatoes, grains and salads.

Instruction and practice in the learning environment requires adherence to safety standards, OSHA, EPA and industry guidelines.
Hands-On Experience
Culinary Arts students get extended learning in the laboratory through public experiences with The Cove restaurant. Students manage and run the restaurant during lunch hours, thus practicing the soft skills associated with customer service along with the culinary skills required in the kitchen.
Career Opportunities
Opportunities abound in Corporate Environments, Restaurant & Hotel Management, Back-of-house Operations, Front-of-house Operations and related fields.
  • Chef
  • Kitchen Manager
  • Sous Chef
  • Pastry Chef
  • Server
  • Nutritionist
  • Caterer
  • Event planner
  • Food Supplier
Industry Overview
The industry is expected to grow from 10 - 20% with average salary rates between $8.45 and $16.37 per hour for food preparation workers to chefs and head cooks. 

*Bureau of Labor Statistics Information, October 2002
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