Mesa Community College

This program is part of the Business & Information Systems department.

mesacc.edu > Programs & Degrees > Culinary Studies
Culinary Studies

Culinary Studies

How to manage a kitchen staff. The history of Asian food. Running a specialty bakery. Sharpening your cooking skills. These are just a few things you can learn in the Culinary Studies program at MCC.

Whether you take a single class or pursue an associate’s degree, our program will help you develop skills in all facets of the food service industry. Our classes emphasize the skills you’ll need for a job in a commercial food operation where food is prepared and served in volume. Our instruction includes principles of professional cooking and baking, volume food production, food sanitation and safety, purchasing, menu planning, customer service, basic nutrition concepts, and more. Hands-on training is provided in state-of-the-art facilities.

Quick Stats

Example Titles
Chef
Baker
Foodservice Manager
Caterer
Entrepreneur
Types of Employers
Restaurants
Hotels and Resorts
Hospitals
Schools
Corporations

Career Profile

Culinary arts is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers are expected to continue to be plentiful. Foodservice positions in specialized industries such as grocery store take-out, home meal replacements, and casual family restaurants are expected to grow even faster.

Culinary professionals often:

  • Have more training as a chef than dinner cooks
  • Direct the work of other kitchen employees
  • Work in very fast-paced environments
  • Wear uniforms
  • Work mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays

Available Associate Degrees and Certificates

Degree / Certificate Title Required Courses
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Culinary Studies Required Courses
Certificate of Completion (CCL) Culinary Studies Required Courses

Meet with an Advisor

Before signing up for classes, you’ll want to meet with an academic advisor. Together, you’ll lay out a program and career path that suits you best. This step is essential to your academic success, so don’t skip it, okay?

Advising for the Culinary Studies program is available through the Business & Information Systems department. You can also contact Advisement & Registration Services for general advising. Both will help you determine the exact courses you need to get the education you’re looking for.