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20 Week Course Culinary Arts Program

 

Teaching skills, changing lives

The growing hospitality industry provides countless career opportunities for those trained and qualified as a kitchen professional. Goodwill’s Culinary Arts Program helps motivated students carve out a career that provides job security in a collaborative, creative environment.

Learn valuable culinary techniques from trained chef-instructors in Goodwill’s professionally equipped kitchen. The 20-week course allows students to learn all aspects of the culinary arts, providing hands-on training with frequent one-on-one instruction.

Program Services:

  • Accepts candidates from all walks of life, including those facing a wide variety of obstacles and challenges.
  • Classes are bilingual (English and Spanish).
  • The interactive approach takes place in a fully equipped, commercial kitchen with two instructors and a maximum of eight students.
  • Students gain valuable work experience in catering and events management at the Monterey Bay Events Center, including weddings and corporate events.
  • The curriculum includes ServSafe certification from the National Restaurant Association, a mandatory certification in the foodservice industry.
  • The program provides job preparation and placement services to gain employment upon completion of the course.

Culinary Arts Training Topics:

  • Hot and Cold Food Production
  • Basic Baking
  • Soups, Stocks, and Sauces
  • Meal Planning
  • Nutrition
  • Plate Presentation
  • Recipes, Menus and Quality Control
  • Knife Skills
  • Tool/Equipment Maintenance and Operation
  • Math Skills for Food Service
  • Food Cost Control
  • Purchasing and Receiving Procedures and Controls
  • Buffet Service Techniques and Principles
  • Conference Center Preparation and Planning
  • Hands-on Experience in Full-Scale Catering
  • Job-Seeking Skills and Placement Assistance

Culinary Arts Program Entrance Requirements

Students must interview with the program director and demonstrate an interest in working toward employment in the fast-paced culinary field. Candidates must possess a fifth-grade reading level, show sixth-grade math skills, be able to lift up to 25 pounds, and have the mobility to move freely in a kitchen environment. Students will be required to wear a uniform and approved shoes to class.

To schedule a tour and interview, call (831) 883-5718.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all curriculum assignments, earn a passing grade on required exams, pass the ServSafe food test, and maintain an overall attendance at least 90 percent. Successful graduates will be awarded a Certificate of Completion and will be eligible for placement assistance.

Program Schedule (Bi-lingual, Spanish/English)

The 20-week course takes place Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., with some evening and weekend attendance required.

Culinary Arts Program Cost

Registration: $100
Tuition: $4,000
Supplies (books, knife kit, chef jackets, cooking supplies): $1,500
Total: $5,600

Financial Assistance

Contact program director Luis Silva for information on how you may qualify for tuition assistance through local community programs and partnerships, such as the Monterey County Workforce Development Board or Department of Rehabilitation. Federal financial aid is not accepted.

Monterey Bay Event Center & Culinary Arts School

249 10th St. Marina, CA 93933 | 831-883-5718