Culinary Arts

Close-up of pastry chefs preparing a dessert.

Department: Culinary Arts and Hospitality

Program Type: Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management

Planning to Transfer? Learn more about the transfer process including the importance of choosing a major and transfer school.

Overview

Elgin Community College is a leading institution for Culinary Arts in the Midwest. Our program is designed for those passionate about cooking and baking, offering a comprehensive path to mastering the culinary craft. We provide Associate Degrees in Culinary Arts, catering to those aspiring to become Sous chefs, pastry chefs, or chefs de cuisine.

ECC provides a comprehensive curriculum featuring core courses such as Cooking Fundamentals, where you'll develop key skills in knife techniques, flavoring, and basic cooking methods. As part of the program, you'll earn ServSafe Food Manager and Responsible Alcohol Service Certifications, master essential kitchen safety procedures, and implement advanced safety protocols to ensure a secure and efficient kitchen environment. The program emphasizes organizing and prepping ingredients to streamline your cooking process and excelling in following both written and verbal instructions to achieve exceptional culinary results. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to cultivate and demonstrate industry-standard work habits and professional behavior in a real-world kitchen setting.

Prepare for Immediate Employment

Job opportunities for chefs and head cooks are set to grow by 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, outpacing the average for most careers. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, (accessed August 22, 2024). On average, about 22,000 new positions will open up each year over the next decade, offering exciting prospects for those entering the culinary field.

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

Review the ECC catalog for details about the culinary arts and hospitality plan of study and course descriptions.

Associate of Applied Science

Vocational Certificates

Basic Vocational Certificates

What is Culinary Arts?

Culinary arts is the craft and science of cooking and preparing food. It encompasses a wide range of skills and techniques involved in creating delicious and visually appealing dishes. This field covers everything from basic cooking methods and food safety to advanced techniques in baking, pastry arts, and gourmet cuisine. In culinary arts, you learn to work with various ingredients, develop recipes, and master cooking methods such as sautéing, roasting, grilling, and baking. The discipline also involves understanding flavor profiles, nutrition, and the artistic presentation of dishes.

What Will I Study for a Degree in Culinary Arts?

In the Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts program at ECC, you'll delve into various aspects of cooking techniques, food preparation fundamentals, and food service management. The program's core courses include:

Cooking Fundamentals: Covers essential skills in commercial cooking, including knife techniques, flavorings, mise en place, foundational cooking methods, and equipment use.
Baking Fundamentals: Introduces basic baking skills and concepts, including quick breads, yeast breads, choux paste, pies, custards, and tarts.
Meats and Seafood Principles: Focuses on the fabrication, handling, and cooking of meat, poultry, and seafood, including appropriate techniques, sauces, and garnishes.
Garde Manger: Explores classic and modern cold food preparation, including preservation methods, sandwiches, cured foods, and hors d'oeuvres.
Culinary Internship: Provides hands-on experience in a professional food service setting for a minimum of 320 hours, including term papers and performance evaluations.

For more details on the curriculum, Please refer to the ECC Catalog.

What Skills Will I Learn in Culinary Arts?

In the Culinary Arts program at Elgin Community College, you'll develop a comprehensive skill set to excel in the culinary field. You'll gain expertise in:

Creating Five Classic Mother Sauces: Master the preparation and application of these essential sauces, which are foundational to classic cuisine.
Mastering Essential Cooking Techniques: Learn to expertly apply various methods such as sautéing, grilling, broiling, braising, poaching, frying, and roasting.
Perfecting Food Handling and Presentation: Demonstrate top-notch food handling practices, achieve impeccable plate presentation, and understand the nuances of temperature and flavor.
Designing and Executing Stunning Plated Dishes: Craft beautifully composed plated menu items with the right techniques to impress and delight diners.

The Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts provides you with these vital skills, equipping you for a successful career in the culinary industry with a blend of technical expertise and creative artistry.

What Careers Are Involved with Culinary Arts?

Career paths in Culinary Arts offer a range of exciting opportunities, including roles as Chefs, Pastry Chefs, Caterers, and Ice Sculpting.

Unlock your culinary potential with ECC’s certificates in pastry, culinary arts, and restaurant management. These programs are designed to help you achieve your career and advancement goals, combining technical and hospitality training with hands-on experience in our cutting-edge kitchen labs.