Culinary arts degree, certificate offered at CAC’s Maricopa campus

Central Arizona College’s culinary arts program is expanding its selection of classes and will begin offering an associate degree and three different certificates in the fall at CAC’s new Maricopa campus.

Students in Maricopa will be able to pursue a baking and pastry certificate as well as two culinary arts certificates in addition to a 65-credit A.A.S. degree.

Courses in Italian cuisine, baking, ServSafe certification, and dining operations are among the available offerings that may be applied to the culinary arts certificate or A.A.S curriculum. The courses range from one to three credits.

Tuition is $77 per credit hour for Arizona residents, plus a $20 course fee for most classes. Instruction will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face and online modalities, with the majority of class time at the Maricopa Campus’ culinary arts facility.

“The degree and certificates we are launching in Maricopa now will enable those students to enhance their job skills and increase employment opportunities,” Chef Carol Bennett, preceptor for the culinary arts program at CAC, said. “Additionally, the classes in our program are even suitable for those culinary enthusiasts who are looking to take just a class for personal enrichment.”

Students who have completed the CAC culinary arts degree or certificate have gone on to gain employment with hotels, resorts, restaurants, commercial food service systems, extended care facilities, hospitals, school food services, cruise ships, spas and day-care facilities.

***ADVERTISEMENT***Classes scheduled to be held at the Maricopa Campus this fall are:

CUL 160 – Baking and Pastry I will meet Wednesdays Aug. 21 to Dec. 18. The course runs 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for three credits. Students will learn basic principles and techniques required for the commercial preparation of bakery products, including yeast-leavened breads, pies, tarts, quick breads, cookies and cakes.

CUL 265 – Artisan Breads. This one-credit class will meet 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for five Mondays starting Sept. 30.

CUL 170 – Dining and Beverage Operations. This two-credit course is scheduled 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Oct. 23. Students will study the theory and practice of food and beverage service with a focus on menu planning and development, table and buffet service, customer relations, management and the financial considerations of dining operations.

CUL 112 – Italian Cuisine will be offered Fridays, Oct. 25 through Nov. 15 for one credit, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During the course, students will discover the flavors, ingredients and culinary traditions of Italian cuisine through this hands-on class. Students will learn to make Italian appetizers, soups, entrees, pasta, bread, salads and desserts.

More information is available at CentralAZ.edu/culinary or by contacting Bennett at [email protected].