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Culinary Management Overview

The food service industry is one of the area’s leading employers and CVTC is answering demand for these careers with a new two-year Culinary Management associate degree. Careers in the culinary industry are challenging and varied, with many opportunities for advancement. CVTC’s Culinary Management program will prepare you for a career as a line cook, sous chef, restaurant manager, food service manager, or baker.

The Culinary Management associate degree will prepare learners to implement theory and management skill sets towards professional food preparation and service standards in an ever-demanding marketplace. Students will learn basic and advanced culinary technique, menu planning, beverage management, restaurant operations, nutrition, purchasing, cost control, and food service supervision. A required internship will allow the practice of these skill demonstrations in an off-campus hospitality environment. Graduates have a number of exceptional employment opportunities locally or wherever their careers may take them.

CVTC’s new, modern, state-of-the-art kitchen and dining area provides the hands-on training you need to succeed in the restaurant industry. Upon completion of the program, you will earn the National Restaurant Association Applied Food Service Sanitation and the Responsible Beverage certificate, allowing you to become a Wisconsin Certified Food Manager and a licensed bartender. Employment opportunities are endless and advancement is excellent! You will have a number of employment opportunities in food preparation and culinary management including full-service restaurants, hotels, hospitals, educational facilities, catering, and delis.

Throughout this two-year program you’ll learn about:

  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Culinary Arts
  • Customer Service
  • Food & Beverage Operations
  • Management
  • Menu Planning
  • Nutrition
  • Sanitation & Safety
  • Teamwork

Career Opportunities

Baker

Chef

Food Service Manager

Line Cook

Sous Chef

Restaurant Manager

Graduate Employers

Aroma Cafe

Eau Claire Golf & Country Club

Kids USA Learning Center

Just the Facts

Culinary Management
60 Credit Associate Degree

Length of Program //
Two Years

Delivery Method //

Program Location //
Eau Claire

Program Location //
August and January

Start Months //
August and January

Start Dates //
August and January

 

Financial Aid Eligible

 

Non-Traditional Occupation

Estimated Program Cost 

Term 1

$

2,962

Term 2

$

2,818

Term 3

$

2,634

Term 4

$

2,556

Tools/Materials

$

1,148

Books

$

2,246

 Estimated Total: $14,364

  Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning. Explore your options today!

620 West Restaurant

 
 

Come check out the restaurant!

Join us for unique culinary experiences each week! Students in the CVTC Culinary Management program create themed menus that give your palette the opportunity to travel the world through food. Our pop-up menus change throughout the semester, so check back often for the latest offering. Learn more.

 

Program Courses

These are a few of the courses you can take in the Culinary Management program.

Food Theory
Food science principles applied to professional culinary food preparation. Units include professional kitchen operation, recipe terminology, and cooking techniques for various food categories.

Restaurant Operations (Back of House)
This course will build upon the skills and knowledge you have developed during your first year in the Culinary Program. Throughout this course you will apply advanced culinary techniques in the operation of a restaurant open to the public as well as developing new skills and understanding in banquets and catering, restaurant concept design, kitchen management, and human resource management. During this course your class will have the opportunity to develop a restaurant concept to be implemented in the next semester.

Culinary Arts Internship
The Culinary Arts Internship will immerse you into the culinary industry and allow you to continue to develop and hone your skills at an approved internship site. While on your internship you will work with a site mentor who will provide performance feedback and assist you with meeting your educational goals. During your internship you will create and maintain a portfolio of your experience.

Earn Credentials Along the Way

Career Pathways 

Career Pathways are a clear, manageable way to access education that provides employer-recognized, stackable credentials tied to specific jobs, education, and career progression. Career Pathways are beneficial to high school students and teachers, parents, adult students, and employers.

Associate Degree

Culinary Management

Culinary Management Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking where they are working, whether it is in their degree field, and several other questions related to employment. Below are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Outcomes
 

100%
Employed

100% of our recent Culinary Management graduates got a job in the industry.

 

$35K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Culinary Management graduates reported an average starting salary of $35,460.

 

707
Regional Jobs

There are 707 job openings in the CVTC district for the Culinary Management industry.

 

Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions

Transfer your CVTC credits to another institution to continue your education. Explore transfer agreements.

Focus On Student Success

I enjoyed my time at CVTC immensely! The hands-on learning atmosphere allowed me to experience a typical day in my area of study. The staff was amazing, the materials were helpful, and there was no wasted time. Every minute was education-focused, and I learned so much! Thank you!

Grace, Culinary Management Graduate

Related Programs & Certificates

Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
 

Degrees & Diplomas

Baking & Pastry Specialist, Technical Diploma

Culinary Production Specialist, Technical Diploma

Continue Your Learning

CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.

// Explore Continuing Ed Opportunities

  Unsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.

A Program You Can Trust

Program Accreditation

ACFEF Logo

This program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF).

Our 2022 program graduation rate was 32% and the ACF Certification Rate was 9%.

View ACF Accreditation Student Outcomes.