Online Culinary Degree Program

Online Culinary Arts Certificate and Degree Programs - What Do You Study?

Culinary is the study of the art of cooking. The word "culinary" is defined as something related to, or connected with, cooking or kitchens. A culinarian is a person working in the culinary arts. A culinarian working in restaurants is commonly known as a cook or a chef. Culinary artists are responsible for skillfully preparing meals that are as pleasing to the palate as to the eye. Increasingly they are required to have a knowledge of the science of food and an understanding of diet and nutrition. They work primarily in restaurants, fast food chain store franchises, delicatessens, hospitals and other institutions.

Related Online Culinary Arts Certificate and Degree Programs

Online colleges and universities that offer Culinary Arts certificates emphasize sanitation and public health requirements, knife skills and basic cooking techniques, and baking and pastry concepts. In addition, students may test their skills at student-run restaurants and in professional environments. Some online colleges and universities offer specializations in patisserie. These programs emphasize practical training in baking and pastry preparation with elements of plated desserts, international creations, and centerpieces--developing the skills necessary to create magnificent show pieces, displays and wedding cakes.

Culinary Arts Associate's degrees emphasize comprehensive, practical training in the culinary arts with elements of management and pastry preparation. The curriculum typically gives students the opportunity to acquire the qualities of a professional, entry-level cook, including stamina, dexterity, hand-eye coordination, the ability to work with others, timing, and the artistry of food preparation; learn and effectively practice advanced technical skills in food preparation and service; understand the principles of food identification; gain an appreciation for the history, evolution, and international diversity of the culinary arts; and develop a sense of professionalism necessary for working successfully in the food-service and hospitality industry.  Students typically also have the opportunity to become familiar with purchasing and inventory controls, front-of-the-house operations and basic principles of kitchen management, and partake in general education courses including marketing and interpersonal communication.

Career Options in Culinary Arts

As the flow of wealth upwards has concentrated discretionary spending in upscale restaurants, and workers across the board put in longer hours in order to stay competitive--encouraging them to frequent restaurants or buy take-out food rather than invest time or energy in preparing food, while at the same time there is growing awareness of nutrition--the need for skilled culinary arts professionals is increasing.

The wide variety of occupations in the culinary arts profession include chefs and cooks, dining room service/restaurant management, food and beverage managers in hotels and other large establishments, food and beverage controllers, consultants and design specialists, salespeople who introduce chefs and business owners to new products and are able to demonstrate the proper use at equipment, teachers, food writers and critics, food stylists and photographers, research and development kitchen workers, and entrepreneurial culinarians who develop their own businesses.