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Program Description

The mission of CNM’s Culinary Arts Program is to teach innovative trends in the hospitality/food service industry, while providing an atmosphere for learning that encourages student growth, teamwork and diversity, that result in life-long learning and employment in the hospitality/food service industry.

Culinary Arts is an excellent field for individuals seeking a challenging career in a rapidly growing industry. The associate degree is a four term program. Students will study baking and pastry, professional cooking, safety, sanitation, nutrition, equipment use, human relations, supervisory skills, dining room skills, business practices and other general coursework. Classes include classroom and lab time.

The American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFFAC) nationally accredits this program. Upon completion of the associate of applied science degree program, students are eligible to become certified culinarians and/or certified pastry cooks through ACF depending on the concentration chosen. ACF accreditation assures that a program is meeting at least a minimum of standards and competencies set for faculty, curriculum and student services. For more information about ACF go to acfchefs.org. Students may participate in culinary competitions with ACF, SkillsUSA and other extracurricular activities.

Special Requirements

Students are required to purchase four sets of chef’s uniforms, dining room service attire, textbooks and tools. Students should be able to lift 30 pounds and must present a physician’s certificate to CNM at the start of classes stating that the student is free from tuberculosis in a transmissible form. Students must be able to stand for the duration of lab classes.

Career and Educational Opportunities

Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.

Jobs are available in restaurants, casinos, resorts, schools, retirement homes, hospitals, cruise ships, catering companies, convention centers and other areas. Types of employment range from business owners, to bakers or cooks and managers or chefs and include employment opportunities from the fast food industry and fine dining establishments to casinos and resorts. Students completing the degree may also receive certificates in Food Service Management, Culinary Fundamentals, and Baking. Many classes will transfer to four year institutions. Students interested in continuing for a bachelor degree should meet with the Business & Information Technology academic advisor or program director.

Exit competencies (see Program Exit Competencies) for this program of study are available at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

For the graduation policy refer to the Graduating From CNM  section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.

Certificates of Completion available in Baking ; Culinary Fundamentals ; Food Service Management .

Certificate and Degree Options

• Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science 

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