What You Will Learn
If you are intrigued by the culinary world from all aspects of food preparation including cooking or baking to working in food management or becoming a food truck entrepreneur, consider earning a Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts at CCM. This certification provides a solid foundation, one that is highly valued in the culinary industry, and can open many doors for you. At CCM you receive basic training for entry level opportunities, or the foundation for advanced studies, including Serv-Safe food handling certification.
The Teaching Kitchen and Dining Room at CCM is your learning lab and one of the best in the area. It features individual workstations to provide a multitude of state-of-the-art culinary learning experiences. The new Center for Entrepreneurship and Culinary Science will provide more innovative learning spaces and be the home to CCM’s new Culinary and Hospitality Arts Institute of New Jersey (CHAI-NJ). The institute will focus on training executive chefs for the region’s many restaurants and provide a pipeline of qualified and well-educated employees.
Curriculum
Our Culinary Arts certificate is a 10-credit curriculum. Required courses include Serv-Safe Food Handling, Introduction to Food and Food Management.
You may choose to pursue an internship or expand upon your skillset in one of these specific areas: Food Production, Introduction to Baking, International Cuisines or Food Truck Entrepreneur.
This certificate is also a great entry into the associate degree program in culinary arts and science at CCM.
Careers in the Field
Completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts opens career opportunities in:
- Catering Services
- Food Science
- Food Styling
- Pastry Making
- Professional Baking
- Professional Cooking
Why Study Culinary Arts at CCM?
- Recognized as a Top 10 Best Culinary School in New Jersey and a Top 20 Best Culinary School on the East Coast by Best Choice Schools.
- The Department of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at CCM has a wide range of impressive credentials and institutional memberships:
- National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
- International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education
- American Culinary Federation
- Chaine des Rôtisseurs
- Complete a program that adheres to industry standards and best practices which can enhance your professional credibility showing employers you are serious about your career.
- Learn from faculty who are experts in their field ensuring you develop and refine your culinary skills and are prepared for the challenges of the culinary industry.
- Acquire the hands-on skills needed by studying in the college’s soon-to-be completed, new Center for Entrepreneurship and Culinary Science with state-of-the-art kitchen workstations and dining room practice spaces.
- Meet and connect with experienced chefs and fellow like-minded students..
- Gain practical, hands-on instruction in food and beverage management, as well as the customer service experience.
Paying for Your Culinary Arts Education
Earning an associate degree in design is a powerful investment that will pay off over the course of your life, in both increased earnings and job satisfaction. But what is the upfront cost, and how do you afford it?
There’s good news: Money is available to help you pay for school! Our Financial Aid staff can provide lots of information about the process of finding funds to help pay for your education.
Featured Courses
Introduction to Food
The modern kitchen offers a multitude of opportunities to explore the world of food. From the equipment available to the bounty of fresh and processed foods that can be obtained and prepared by both the novice and the more experienced cook, this course presents an introduction to the culinary arts.
Introduction to Baking
This is an introductory course in baking. This class introduces the student to the fundamental principles within a bakeshop and pastry kitchen. The student learns the basic baking ingredients and how they are used; weights, measurements, equipment, and importance of accuracy; and basic procedure common to bakery formulas. Students create and bake bread, quick bread, muffins, and assorted pies.
Food Truck Entrepreneur
Food trucks have become a popular and important part of the hospitality industry. This course introduces the fundamentals of owning and operating a food trailer or truck. The relatively low cost of entry combined with free and low-cost ways to market via social media are just two of the reasons that budding entrepreneurs are joining this exciting field. The basics of food vending, business plans, menu planning, production design, location selection, federal/state/local regulations, licenses, and permits will all be covered in the coursework. Students will develop the necessary skills to succeed in this exciting and growing industry while experiencing practical experience in customer service and food trailer operations.
Culinary Arts Share Time (CAST) for High School Students
If you are a high school student in the Morris County Vocational School District, consider applying to CAST. This partnership enables juniors and seniors in high school, who reside in Morris County, to take career-focused, college-level courses that offer three possible pathways after graduation for career advancement:
- Direct entry into the workforce with certifications and credit
- One-year completion of associate degree at CCM
- Transfer with advanced standing to a four-year college or university
Culinary Opportunity Program (COP)
COP teaches fundamental skills in culinary and baking and is intended for students who have the physical and intellectual capacity, as well as the desire, to become a member of the workforce. This 72-hour job preparation program incorporates culinary and baking, Serv-Safe certification, resume preparation and the opportunity to meet potential employers.
Your Culinary Arts Faculty Advisor
Professor, Chair
