Chef Training and Management Technology

Contact Information 

BJ Whitmore, associate professor/program coordinator
benjamin.whitmore@ndscs.edu
701-671-2842
Student Center 129

Delivery Methods 

Face-to-Face: Wahpeton

The Culinary Arts curriculum provides students with a broad range of study that enables them to be employed in a large variety of occupations within the food service and hospitality industry. Students learn quality food preparation, service techniques, organizational skills, and are exposed to all aspects of the industry. A significant portion of the program is devoted to laboratory work where students spend time preparing standardized recipes for entrees, soups, garde manger/pantry items, meat, poultry, seafood, bakery, and dessert items. An emphasis is placed on classical cuisine and production of cuisine for formal dining rooms, as well as items for less formal establishments.

In addition to preparation courses, the core program provides training in sanitation, nutrition, menu planning, cost control, purchasing and inventory control, management, and supervision. General education and related courses that develop human relation skills, communication skills, business skills, and mathematics are offered to provide a well-rounded educational experience. A cooperative work experience must be completed successfully by all students prior to graduation.

The chef performs many functions in the food service industry, including food preparation, planning, control, supervision, and a variety of other tasks that coincide with the total control of the kitchen in the commercial food world. The industry and program require professional attitudes, actions, appearance, and dress along with the ability to work as part of a team and communicate well with others. Tact, courtesy, and a pleasant personality are important, as are keen senses of taste and smell.

Employment opportunities

Employment potential in the hospitality food preparation industry remains high. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the North Dakota Hospitality Association, and our Culinary Arts Advisory Committee, there is an extreme shortage for trained individuals throughout the entire industry as chefs, cooks, bakers, and managers. Graduates commonly take employment in hotel restaurants, franchise restaurants, clubs, bakeries, catering operations, delis, retirement communities, and institutional food service facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, public schools, and colleges.

Admission Requirements*

The applicants must be high school graduates or equivalent. Helpful courses to prepare for this curriculum are food preparation courses, accounting, business math, economics, and computer literacy.

Please Note: Students are placed into English, math and reading courses based on ACT, ACCUPLACER or other nationally recognized tests. Please see www.NDSCS.edu/current-students/student-success/test-center for the NDSCS Course Placement Policy and testing information. Students may be on an extended plan of study pending their course placement.

*Program Admission Requirements are subject to revision. Please check the department or program website under Program Admission Requirements for current information.

Award

Upon successful completion of the required courses, students will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts with an emphasis in Chef Training and Management Technology.