Culinary Arts | AAS

The Culinary Program at Western Iowa Tech is centered on American Culinary Federation program competencies. In this program you will learn concepts and theories relative to the Culinary Arts and have the opportunity to practice these concepts in our state-of-the art theory kitchen. You will have working knowledge in sanitation and safety, knife skills, stocks and sauces, garde manger, ingredient identification, baking, nutrition, financial management, purchasing and cost control, cooking methods, front of house service, food sustainability, human resource management, entrepreneurship and business, menu planning and design, protein fabrication, beverage service, ethnic world cuisine.

Western Iowa Tech's Culinary program is one of only a handful of programs that has a dedicated class focusing on knife skills. All graduates with a diploma or higher are Serve Safe Certified before they are eligible for a credential. You are prepared to take leadership roles within the industry due to the strong emphasis of experiencing real-world techniques and applications. The program is noted for its high standards which has translated into very positive outcomes for our students.

This program prepares you to provide professional chef and related cooking services in restaurants and other commercial food establishments. You can go on to work in all facets of the industry from high-end "white tablecloth" restaurants to contract food services at universities and hospitals. Many graduates of this program manage kitchens all over the United States and in 40 local establishments including Hard Rock Casino, M's on 4th, Clyde's, and P's Pizza.