Students in the Culinary Arts program learn the latest trends in food service and hospitality industry in our state-of-the-art kitchens. All students sit for their ServeSafe certification exam, so they are ready for an exciting career right out of high school.
The Culinary Arts program provides students with a wide range of academic opportunities, including college preparatory, honors, and concurrent college/high school courses. The program is designed to prepare students for both post-secondary education and careers in the culinary field. Students spend two hours each day focused on their chosen career theme, gaining hands-on experience in essential areas of the culinary profession.
Culinary arts, like any academic discipline, require students to master fundamentals, study diligently, and practice consistently to refine their skills. At GCIT, our highly qualified instructors—certified educators as well as experienced culinary professionals—utilize state-of-the-art classrooms and equipment to deliver an exceptional learning experience.
Students participate in daily formal instruction, which includes culinary theory, note-taking, homework, tests, videos, demonstrations, and projects. Beyond learning recipes and techniques, students gain a comprehensive understanding of kitchen management, including menu creation and costing, inventory management, ordering, and food safety.
Instruction is divided between classroom-based theory and hands-on practice in the kitchen. Students begin with foundational topics such as food safety and sanitation, product identification, smallwares and equipment, knife skills, and recipe reading. As they progress, they advance to breakfast cookery, sandwiches, salads, soups, stocks, sauces, and meat, poultry, and seafood fabrication, among other specialties. Practical training also includes working in student-operated kitchens and cafés that serve GCIT staff and administration, providing real-world culinary experience.
Students have opportunities to participate in student-led organizations such as FCCLA and SkillsUSA. These organizations allow them to sharpen their skills, engage in school-wide service projects, and compete in culinary competitions. Graduates also earn the nationally recognized ServSafe certification, which can be transferred to colleges and employers across the industry.
The Culinary Arts progam follows the ProStart Curriculum, a nationally endorsed program from the National Restaurant Association. Many graduates continue their education at prestigious institutions, including the Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales University, Atlantic Cape Community College, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill, Stockton University, and other top colleges and universities.
Graduates of the Culinary Arts program have pursued diverse and rewarding careers, becoming business owners, executive chefs, dietitians, food scientists, and wine and culinary specialists, while others have advanced within renowned restaurants worldwide.
Graduates of the Academy of Culinary Arts go on to achieve amazing success, becoming executive chefs, business owners, food scientists, registered dietitians, and culinary leaders in world-class restaurants around the globe.
