The Academy of Culinary Arts provides students an array of academic options that include college preparatory, honors and concurrent college/high school classes. These academies prepare students for post-secondary education and/or careers in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. Students in the academies spend two hours each day concentrating in their career theme. They experience classes in the critical areas of the culinary professions including Regional and International Cuisine, Commercial Baking, Pastry Arts and Garde’ Manager skills.
Culinary Arts is just like any other subject: to be successful, students must learn the fundamentals, study, and practice to perfect their craft. Our dedicated staff, who, in addition to their teaching certifications, are experienced professionals in the culinary arts field, utilize GCIT's state-of-the-art classrooms and equipment to teach our students.
Students will attend formal classes each day and learn culinary theory. At times, class will include notetaking, homework, tests, videos, demonstrations, and reports. Students not only learn recipes and techniques, but the responsibilities of running a kitchen. This includes how to budget and order food, how to determine what your product should cost, timing and plating a meal, and food safety. After class, students return to the kitchen to complete the “hands-on” portion of the program. Students are assigned to stations in the kitchen on a rotating basis so they may learn the importance of each position. This includes food prep, cooking, and sanitizing. Culinary students gain real life experience, similar to working in a restaurant kitchen, by preparing lunch for the staff café Monday through Friday. Students also prepared meals for over 100 people at GCIT’s dinner theatre, and Gloucester County's Teacher of the Year Luncheon.
Students also receive training in various student organizations including Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and SkillsUSA. Students will graduate with the ServSafe national certification, which can be transferred to some colleges.
Culinary Arts students are also in good standing with many professional organizations including ProStart, American Culinary Federation, National Restaurant Association, Retail Bakers Association, and Professional Chef Association of South Jersey. Many of our graduates go on to a culinary college. GCIT has articulation agreements with Johnson and Wales University, Atlantic Cape Community College, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, and Culinary Institute of America.
GCIT prepares students for success. Graduates of The Academy of Culinary Arts have been accepted into prestigious colleges, become successful business owners, and are climbing the ladder of success at renowned restaurants.