Culinary Arts
Program Description
This program is designed to prepare a student for a career in food service. With the advent of cooking television networks and the foodie movement, culinary arts professionals are in demand and top of mind. This profession is challenging and high-energy, with the opportunity for creativity and freedom.
Our certificates and associate degree programs will prepare you to advance in your current career, move into a new job in the workforce, or start your own catering, restaurant or personal chef business. Graduates will learn a wide range of skills and gain industry specific experience in:
- Demonstrate quality food selection and preparation.
- Identify the major hazards, sources and opportunities for contamination in a food service operation.
- Demonstrate methods of cooking including roasting, broiling, grilling, sauteing, frying, braising, stewing.
- Identify and prepare glazes, syrups, fillings, creams, ganache, praline, and other sweet sauces, and frostings.
- Apply the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and Food Pyramid to food choices and demonstrate how to cook and prepare healthy foods on a regular basis.
- Demonstrate basic skills in menu planning.
- Utilize advanced skills in preparation of various types of Cuisine.
- Communicate successfully with the customer on design, production, service, staff, and include a formal quote for catering services and perform basic math needed for food cost controls.
Degree(s) / Certificates(s)
Career Outlook
Successful completion of this program can open doors to various employment opportunities, many of which require further higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and their annual mean wages in Arizona, based on career and wage data from Pipeline AZ, which utilizes government sources for its reports and forecasts.
Description
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Duties/Tasks
- Check products for quality, and identify damaged or expired goods.
- Set oven temperatures, and place items into hot ovens for baking.
- Combine measured ingredients in bowls of mixing, blending, or cooking machinery.
- Place dough in pans, molds, or on sheets, and bake in production ovens or on grills.
- Set time and speed controls for mixing machines, blending machines, or steam kettles so that ingredients will be mixed or cooked according to instructions.
- Measure or weigh flour or other ingredients to prepare batters, doughs, fillings, or icings, using scales or graduated containers.
- Observe color of products being baked, and adjust oven temperatures, humidity, or conveyor speeds accordingly.
- Check the quality of raw materials to ensure that standards and specifications are met.
- Check equipment to ensure that it meets health and safety regulations, and perform maintenance or cleaning, as necessary.
- Adapt the quantity of ingredients to match the amount of items to be baked.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$32,450
$32,450
Entry Level Salary
$28,390
$28,390
Mid Level Salary
$29,420
$29,420
Expert Level Salary
$37,820
$37,820
Average Hourly Wage
$15.60
$15.60
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$13.65
$13.65
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$14.00
$14.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$18.18
$18.18
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
Duties/Tasks
- Prepare and place meat cuts and products in display counter to appear attractive and catch the shopper's eye.
- Wrap, weigh, label, and price cuts of meat.
- Cut, trim, bone, tie, and grind meats, such as beef, pork, poultry, and fish, to prepare in cooking form.
- Prepare special cuts of meat ordered by customers.
- Receive, inspect, and store meat upon delivery to ensure meat quality.
- Estimate requirements and order or requisition meat supplies to maintain inventories.
- Total sales, and collect money from customers.
- Record quantity of meat received and issued to cooks or keep records of meat sales.
- Supervise other butchers or meat cutters.
- Cure, smoke, tenderize, and preserve meat.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$35,500
$35,500
Entry Level Salary
$27,300
$27,300
Mid Level Salary
$34,980
$34,980
Expert Level Salary
$47,390
$47,390
Average Hourly Wage
$17.07
$17.07
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$13.13
$13.13
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$16.00
$16.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$22.79
$22.79
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
Duties/Tasks
- Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
- Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
- Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
- Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
- Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
- Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
- Recruit and hire staff, such as cooks and other kitchen workers.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$61,200
$61,200
Entry Level Salary
$36,750
$36,750
Mid Level Salary
$59,770
$59,770
Expert Level Salary
$83,220
$83,220
Average Hourly Wage
$29.42
$29.42
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$17.67
$17.67
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$28.00
$28.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$40.01
$40.01
Typical Education Level
Associates Degree
Description
Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.
Duties/Tasks
- Plan menus according to employers' needs and diet restrictions.
- Stock, organize, and clean kitchens and cooking utensils.
- Cool, package, label, and freeze foods for later consumption and provide instructions for reheating.
- Peel, wash, trim, and cook vegetables and meats, and bake breads and pastries.
- Keep records pertaining to menus, finances, and other business-related issues.
- Prepare meals in private homes according to employers' recipes or tastes, handling all meals for the family and possibly for other household staff.
- Shop for or order food and kitchen supplies and equipment.
- Specialize in preparing fancy dishes or food for special diets.
- Direct the operation and organization of kitchens and all food-related activities, including the presentation and serving of food.
- Create and explore new cuisines.
Typical Education Level
Post Secondary Certificate
Description
Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.
Duties/Tasks
- Communicate with customers regarding orders, comments, and complaints.
- Scrub and polish counters, steam tables, and other equipment, and clean glasses, dishes, and fountain equipment.
- Accept payment from customers, and make change as necessary.
- Perform cleaning duties, such as sweeping, mopping, and washing dishes, to keep equipment and facilities sanitary.
- Balance receipts and payments in cash registers.
- Request and record customer orders, and compute bills, using cash registers, multi-counting machines, or pencil and paper.
- Serve food, beverages, or desserts to customers in such settings as take-out counters of restaurants or lunchrooms, business or industrial establishments, hotel rooms, and cars.
- Prepare daily food items, and cook simple foods and beverages, such as sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza, or coffee, using proper safety precautions and sanitary measures.
- Clean and organize eating, service, and kitchen areas.
- Take customers' orders and write ordered items on tickets, giving ticket stubs to customers when needed to identify filled orders.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$31,150
$31,150
Entry Level Salary
$27,650
$27,650
Mid Level Salary
$29,000
$29,000
Expert Level Salary
$32,260
$32,260
Average Hourly Wage
$14.98
$14.98
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$13.29
$13.29
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$13.00
$13.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$15.51
$15.51
Typical Education Level
Less Than A High School Diploma
Description
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.
Duties/Tasks
- Perform various financial activities, such as cash handling, deposit preparation, and payroll.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding food service.
- Compile and balance cash receipts at the end of the day or shift.
- Present bills and accept payments.
- Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure efficient service and conformance to standards.
- Perform food preparation and serving duties, such as carving meat, preparing flambe dishes, or serving wine and liquor.
- Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures.
- Supervise and participate in kitchen and dining area cleaning activities.
- Perform personnel actions, such as hiring and firing staff, providing employee orientation and training, and conducting supervisory activities, such as creating work schedules or organizing employee time sheets.
- Greet and seat guests, and present menus and wine lists.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$40,830
$40,830
Entry Level Salary
$29,440
$29,440
Mid Level Salary
$37,640
$37,640
Expert Level Salary
$61,210
$61,210
Average Hourly Wage
$19.63
$19.63
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$14.16
$14.16
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$18.00
$18.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$29.43
$29.43
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Duties/Tasks
- Clean and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, or silverware.
- Store food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
- Portion and wrap food, or place it directly on plates for service to patrons.
- Take and record temperature of food and food storage areas, such as refrigerators and freezers.
- Prepare a variety of foods, such as meats, vegetables, or desserts, according to customers' orders or supervisors' instructions, following approved procedures.
- Place food trays over food warmers for immediate service, or store them in refrigerated storage cabinets.
- Package take-out foods or serve food to customers.
- Stock cupboards and refrigerators, and tend salad bars and buffet meals.
- Operate cash register, handle money, and give correct change.
- Keep records of the quantities of food used.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$30,400
$30,400
Entry Level Salary
$26,720
$26,720
Mid Level Salary
$29,580
$29,580
Expert Level Salary
$36,070
$36,070
Average Hourly Wage
$14.61
$14.61
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$12.84
$12.84
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$14.00
$14.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$17.34
$17.34
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.
Duties/Tasks
- Record or compile test results or prepare graphs, charts, or reports.
- Conduct standardized tests on food, beverages, additives, or preservatives to ensure compliance with standards and regulations regarding factors such as color, texture, or nutrients.
- Maintain records of testing results or other documents as required by state or other governing agencies.
- Taste or smell foods or beverages to ensure that flavors meet specifications or to select samples with specific characteristics.
- Monitor and control temperature of products.
- Compute moisture or salt content, percentages of ingredients, formulas, or other product factors, using mathematical and chemical procedures.
- Perform regular maintenance of laboratory equipment by inspecting, calibrating, cleaning, or sterilizing.
- Analyze test results to classify products or compare results with standard tables.
- Provide assistance to food scientists or technologists in research and development, production technology, or quality control.
- Train newly hired laboratory personnel.
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Description
Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
Duties/Tasks
- Place food servings on plates or trays according to orders or instructions.
- Clean or sterilize dishes, kitchen utensils, equipment, or facilities.
- Monitor food distribution, ensuring that meals are delivered to the correct recipients and that guidelines, such as those for special diets, are followed.
- Examine trays to ensure that they contain required items.
- Load trays with accessories, such as eating utensils, napkins, or condiments.
- Take food orders and relay orders to kitchens or serving counters so they can be filled.
- Monitor food preparation or serving techniques to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
- Remove trays and stack dishes for return to kitchen after meals are finished.
- Carry food, silverware, or linen on trays or use carts to carry trays.
- Total checks, present them to customers, and accept payment for services.
Salary Information (AZ)
Average Salary
$32,230
$32,230
Entry Level Salary
$25,950
$25,950
Mid Level Salary
$29,700
$29,700
Expert Level Salary
$38,060
$38,060
Average Hourly Wage
$15.49
$15.49
Entry Level Hourly Wage
$12.48
$12.48
Mid Level Hourly Wage
$14.00
$14.00
Expert Level Hourly Wage
$18.30
$18.30
Typical Education Level
High School Diploma
Classroom/Lab Tour
Contact Information
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
| Name | Title | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Gedeon | Professor of Culinary Arts | (928) 344-7737 | Robert.Gedeon@azwestern.edu |
| Tracy Knudson | Administrative Assistant IV | (928) 317-7107 | Tracy.Knudson@azwestern.edu |