If you love working in a kitchen or are interested in the fast-paced of culinary and baking, begin your culinary journey in this financially rewarding career!

What will my classes be like?

 First, you will learn what it takes to operate a safe and sanitary kitchen. Moving on to learning instruction on food handling, preparation, quantity production, quality control, planning, operation, and presentation.

You will also be able to:

-Participate at various culinary events

-Compete at SkillsUSA Competitions

-Participate in the Culinarian Creations Catering Company

This class is Dual Credit with Joliet Junior College: CA 106, 2 credits. 

Through this Dual Credit course, students will have the opportunity to earn the Food Handler Certificate, ServSafe Allergen Certification, and the Foodservice Sanitation Manager Certificate. Both certifications are offered through ServSafe, which is endorsed by the National Restaurant Association.

Program Description

Culinary Arts I

This course provides students considering a career in the culinary arts and the food service industry with classroom instruction and lab experience to establish a culinary arts knowledge foundation in order to start developing job-related competencies. First-semester students will start with food safety and sanitation instruction and take the ServSafe Food Handler Certification Test.  Students will then continue with instruction on knife skill techniques, tools, and equipment, measuring and culinary math, standardized recipe analysis, cake decorating techniques, and baking techniques which focus on quick and yeast bread, cookies, and specialty desserts. Finally, students will participate in the Festival of Trees Gingerbread House Competition. Second-semester students will start instruction with the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Curriculum and Certification Test. Students will then continue their instruction in the areas of sensory perception (herbs & spices), eggs, soups, pasta, and various cooking methods. Culinary Arts I students will also have the opportunity to experience SkillsUSA through labs and possibly competitions at the regional/state/national level. Guest speakers, field trips, and job shadowing events will also enhance the culinary curriculum.  Finally, students will also get to participate in various catering events to promote real food industry-based experiences.

Culinary Arts II

 Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Culinary Arts I

This course provides students with leadership opportunities who are considering a career in the culinary arts and the food service industry. Advanced classroom instruction and lab experience will allow students to develop specific job-related competencies in the areas of safety and sanitation, knife skills, tools, and equipment, measuring and culinary math, standardized recipe analysis, cake decorating techniques, as well as baking and cooking techniques.  Students will also have additional instruction in cakes, pies, specialty desserts, Garde manger, sandwiches & hor's d ’oeuvres, fruits and vegetables, sous vide, and various other cooking methods, careers, and restaurant and personal professionalisms such as mock interviews and internships. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the BACC Catering Company that includes planning menus, selecting food, supervising food preparation, developing pricing strategies, ordering food, and maintaining safety and sanitation, while mastering the operation of all food preparation equipment. Guest speakers, field trips, and job shadowing events will also enhance the culinary curriculum.  Finally, students will participate in the Festival of Trees Gingerbread House Competition, as well as have the opportunity to experience SkillsUSA through labs and possibly competitions at the regional/state/national level.

Employment Opportunities

• Banquet Chef

• Caterer

• Food Purchaser/Buyer

• Food Server

• Maitre D'

• Pastry Artist

• Personal Cook

• Restaurant Manager/Owner

• Sous Chef

• Food Scientist

• Culinary Instructor

• Prep Cook

Exploring Career Opportunities

There are endless opportunities to pursue in the food industry. From entry-level positions to ownership you can pursue anything from customer service, management, production, sales, or education. Your level of success in the foodservice industry depends on your desire to improve, dedication, and commitment. Check out the career opportunities here!

Contact Information            

Email Kitty Belsly, Instructor