Cooking can be much more than your hobby. There are numerous benefits of pursuing a career in the culinary arts if you enjoy cooking. You can enroll in a culinary arts program to hone your skills and create dishes that bring joy to others. Training will foster the development of a wide range of skills, including the science of food and cooking, business management, marketing, and communication. After completing your culinary arts certificate or degree, you will be eligible for employment as a chef, restaurant manager, food critic, or caterer. If you want a career that offers flexibility, diversity, and career advancement opportunities, the culinary arts may be right for you. With the right training and experience, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to become an in-demand professional.
The Culinary School of Fort Worth
The Professional Culinary Arts program at The Culinary School at Fort Worth emphasizes learning by doing. The program is hands-on from start to finish. Instructors will teach the skills and techniques needed to start the culinary journey and equip students with the tools and confidence needed to succeed in the kitchen. Course modules include Foundational Techniques, Baking and Pastry, Savory, Kitchen Management, and Nutrition. Topics of study are knife skills, organization and professionalism, working with commercial kitchen equipment, egg cookery, plating, vegetable and fruit cookery, mixing methods, cakes, breads, cookies and cookie decoration, frozen desserts, baking and pastry principles, fresh pasta making, classic and contemporary sauces, salads and emulsified dressings, menu engineering, principles of Mise en Place, food cost, scaling recipes, special diets, healthy cooking and baking, and macro/micro nutrient calculations. Students will have the opportunity to organize and lead three different styles of events which they can invite their family and friends to attend. Field trips will be organized where students will visit four different establishments throughout the program. The externship will cover two months (210 hours) of supervised work experience designed to expand their career knowledge. The externship will help students through career readiness preparation, mock interviews, personality assessment, and resume development. Graduates will receive a certificate of completion as well as certification from the American Culinary Federation, SERVSAFE food protection manager certification. Job placement assistance is available for all students.
Program overview:
Professional Culinary Arts
Duration: 9 months
Clock hours: 900 including 210 hours on the job training
Prerequisites:
- Submit a completed application for admission and pay the application fee of $25
- Must have a high school diploma or GED – documents required
- Must be at least 17 years age
- Must be able to read and write English
- Submit a one-page essay on why you would like to attend The Culinary School of Fort Worth and the expectations of the program
- Provide one letter of recommendation indicating why the applicant would be a positive addition to the student body at The CSFTW
- Must have current Texas Food Handler’s Certificate
Program cost:
Tuition costs $18,855. Other costs for books, supplies, and registration fee must be covered by the student.
- Website: https://www.csftw.edu/
- Address: 6550 Camp Bowie Blvd #110, Fort Worth, TX 76116
- Phone: (817)737-8427
The Art Institute of Dallas
The Culinary Arts Certificate program at The Art Institute of Dallas gives students the opportunity to obtain a foundational knowledge and skills int eh fundamental techniques and theories of the culinary arts and in industry practices. The curriculum is based on classical principles emphasizing modern techniques and trends in both the classroom and kitchen. Students will learn through applied coursework and hands-on experiences to build the necessary skills and abilities to meet challenges in the food service industry. Course topics include concepts and theories of culinary techniques, management by menu, fundamentals of classical techniques, cuisines of the Americas, Garde Manger, nutritional cooking, introduction to baking and pastry techniques, classical cuisine, A la Carte kitchen, international cuisine, and alternative cuisine and food service. Graduates will be prepared to seek entry-level employment in the culinary industry as prep cooks, line attendants, and pastry assistants. They will establish and maintain safety and sanitation procedures, prepare standardized recipes using a variety of cooking techniques, and articulate the core values of the culinary professional.
Program overview:
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Duration: 4 quarters
Credit hours: 57
Prerequisites:
- Schedule and attend an admissions interview with a representative
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent – must have a minimum 2.0 high school GPA
- Must be 18 years or older
- Complete the Art Institute College Success Course Requirement – New Student Orientation Modules – exemption available for applicants who completed 24 or more prior college credits can be exempted from the College Success Course modules
Program cost:
Tuition and lab fees for the program cost $34,275. The cost of books and uniforms is not included. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
- Website: https://www.artinstitutes.edu/dallas
- Address: 8080 Park Lane, Suite 100, Dallas, TX 75231-5993
- Phone: 800.275.4243
El Centro College
El Centro College offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts to prepare students with knowledge and skills to start a career in the culinary industry. Students will learn in the classroom followed by hands-on experiences in the school’s professional kitchen, Course topics include hospitality supervision, sanitation and safety, basic food preparation, advanced food preparation, principles of food and beverage operations, dining room service, garde manager, saucier, principles of food and beverage controls, fundamentals of baking, international cuisine, purchasing for hospitality operations, nutrition for the food service professional, and culinary and catering management. The program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation. Graduates will be eligible for entry-level pastry chef certification.
Program overview:
Culinary Arts AAS
Duration: 5 semesters
Credit hours: 60
Prerequisites:
- Complete an admission interview with a member from the Admission Department
- Submit a completed application for admission to DCCCD
- Submit a separate application for admission to the Culinary Arts program
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have a valid photo ID and social security card
- Take and pass an admissions assessment
Program cost:
Tuition costs $948 for a full semester load of 12 credit hours. The cost of books, fees, and uniforms is not included.
- Website: https://www.dallascollege.edu/pages/default.aspx
- Address: 1601 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
- Phone: 214-378-1500
Franklyn D. Roosevelt
The Culinary Arts program at Franklyn Roosevelt High School introduces students to the culinary arts and prepares them for entry-level employment and continued study to the associate and bachelor’s degree level. Students will receive hands-on instruction and apply the principles learned in the classroom. Some students will be eligible for dual high school and college credit. Persons interested in the program must have an interest in preparing and serving food, work well with others, accept safety and sanitation skills as required by the Dallas Health Cost, practice high sanitation standards in personal grooming and hygiene, and practice safety standards in food preparation, service, and clean-up tasks in food service establishments. Students will learn to use modern commercial food preparation and service equipment in the school’s kitchen/lab. Grade 9 students will learn the basics of culinary arts for careers. Grade 10 coursework includes basic culinary skills, safety, sanitation, and terminology and commercial food service. Also included is the identification of tools and grocery items and the use of weights and measures in quantity cooking. Grade 11 coursework covers advanced production and presentation skills and self-management. Grade 12 module covers management skills in a specialty such as a baker, nutritionist, chef, registered sanitarian, or other area.
Program overview:
Culinary Arts
Duration: 4 years
Prerequisites:
- Must be a high school student enrolled in the ninth grade
- Must have an interest and food prep and service
- Must be a team player
- Must be able to follow directions
Program cost:
Tuition is free for high school students but successful candidates for admission must be prepared to cover the cost of uniforms and supplies.
- Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/domain/13271
- Address: 525 Bonnie View Road, Dallas, TX 75203
- Phone: (972) 925-6800
Tarrant County College
Students enrolled in the Culinary Arts Associate of Arts program at TCC will learn from faculty who have years of professional experience in the school’s state-of-the-art food service and dining facilities. They will learn how integrate hands-on technical skills with supervisory and business management capabilities. Students will learn how to check the quality of food and supplies, plan menus, prepare and cook foods, and coordinate food service staff. Course topics include basic food preparation, sanitation and safety, fundamentals of baking, dining room service, purchasing for hospitality operations, principles of food and beverage operations, intermediate food preparation, hospitality legal issues, Garde Manger, professional cooking and meal service, and practicum in culinary arts and chef training. Graduates will be eligible to apply for American Culinary Federation certification.
Program overview:
Culinary Arts AAS
Duration: 5 semesters
Credit hours: 60
Prerequisites:
- Meet with a member from the Admission Department
- Submit a completed application for admission to TCC
- Apply for admission to the Culinary Arts program
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be 18 years or older
Program cost:
Tuition costs $3,840 for in-state, in-county residents. The cost of books, fees, and uniforms is not included.
- Website: https://www.tccd.edu/
- Address: 2100 Southeast Pkwy, Arlington, TX 76018
- Phone: 817-515-3343