Culinary Arts

What's Cooking?

If your motivation is cooking for other people, a career in Culinary Arts might be just what you are looking for.  The Culinary Arts program offers a curriculum that leads to positions in agencies and institutions that provide social and community activities.

What are my career choices?

A Culinary Arts degree can lead to employment in the areas of hotel and restaurant management, cruise ships food service, personal chef opportunities, and food and beverage operations.  You will find that your career choices are numerous in the culinary field.

What classes do I have to take?

A core of Culinary Arts courses and general education courses are required.  Depending on the track you choose, you may be required to take some business classes.  You may be required to do a practicum or have co-op experience using skills and principles learned from your training before graduation.

What are my degree, diploma or certificate options?

Degrees and Transfers

• Culinary Arts - Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree - Find General Education and Technical Core courses.
  • Catering and Personal Chef Track
  • Culinary Arts Track
  • Food and Beverage Management Track

ECTC has numerous partnerships with 4-year universities. If you are interested in a transfer pathway in this field, check out our partnering university pathways. Find more information on transferring from ECTC.

Diploma Options

• Catering and Personal Chef - Diploma
• Culinary Arts - Diploma
• Food and Beverage Management - Diploma

Certificate Options

• Advanced Catering - Certificate
• Advanced Culinary Arts - Certificate
• Advanced Food and Beverage Management - Certificate
• Catering - Certificate
• Culinary Arts - Certificate
• Farm to Table - Certificate
• Food and Beverage Management - Certificate
• Fundamentals of Culinary Arts - Certificate

Field Licensure Requirements

Obtaining the ServSafe Food Manager Certificate is a requirement for graduation.  Employers may require either the ServSafe Food Manager Certificate or the Person in Charge (PIC) from through the local Health Department.

Where do I start?

Apply for admission to ECTC to receive information from the Admissions Office about submitting your placement test scores (ACT or other exams) and to schedule a meeting with an advisor to register for your classes.

Length of Program

You can earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.

This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog.  You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.