Program Codes:
CULIN.CER
Certificate
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In this program, students acquire the necessary practical and theoretical skills for employment in one of the nation’s fastest growing industries. Graduates may be employed as an assistant restaurant manager, hotel/motel assistant manager, front office manager, dining room manager, cafeteria production manager in a variety of areas such as hotel, restaurants, resorts, cruise lines, catering centers, and health care facilities. Graduates are eligible for certification in several course areas by the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the National Restaurant Association.
Below are required courses and recommended course groupings and sequences for program completion.
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
The study of food: ingredient knowledge, cooking techniques, food science, and recipes. Emphasis is on the development of professional culinary skills. Within the lab component of the course, students will work in teams to demonstrate competence and skill in professional food preparation and production using commercial food equipment.
HCD-104
An introduction to the use of foodservice and hospitality technologies available to chefs and managers.
HCD-102 if not already taken.
The basic principles and practices of baking and pastry arts. Emphasis is on the development of skills needed to produce a variety of baked goods in a professional setting. Within the lab component of the course, students will work in teams to demonstrate competence and skill in the preparation of baked goods, pastries, and desserts using specialized equipment.
Introduces techniques for safe food handling including microbiology, preventing foodborne illnesses, maintenance of safe facilities and training foodservice employees. Industry Certification.
The study of and application of techniques, standards, and principles of quantity cookery. Emphasis is on the flow of food production through the kitchen of food service of food service operations and the development of skills in culinary arts. Within the lab component of the course, students will work in teams to demonstrate competence and skill in quantity food production, including recipe development for quantity cookery, food costing, and preparing of quantity food products.
HCD-108
Explores entrepreneurial opportunities in the food industry, business trends, and how to conduct a feasibility study for a food business.
The art of cold food production: food decorating and styling techniques are presented. Within the lab component of the courses, students will demonstrate competence and skills in the creation of classical food specialties such as sculptures, aspics, pates, chaudfroids, terrines, galantines, and sauces.
Principles and management of cost control systems for planning, controlling and analyzing costs related to food, labor, and other expenses in food service operations. Complemented by the principles and theories of food procurement, including management, safety and ethical considerations in the procurement process. Within the lab component of the course, students will demonstrate competence in food purchasing and cost controls of a foodservice operation by preparing records necessary for sound financial operations in foodservice, including purchase orders for all major food categories and the development of food cost reports. Students will be eligible to site for the industry certification exam.
The application of management techniques through the experience of planning and managing luncheons catered by students in the HCD programs. The course provides opportunities to apply principles of menu planning, food cost controls, sanitation, food production, employee supervision, marketing and guest service.
The externship is designed to develop and refine culinary and food production skills through an approved on-site industry experience. Externs will work 180 hours under the supervision of qualified chefs and/or foodservice managers.
Graduates of the Program will be able to:
Contact Name: Dr. Mary-Pat Maciolek, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2538
Contact Email: MMaciolek@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/hospitality-culinary-arts-dietetics/
Articulation agreements with public and private institutions offer students who earn the A.A.S. degree the opportunity to transfer most of their coursework to the four-year institution. Students in specialized programs, or who earn an A.A.S. degree should discuss the transfer process with an advisor. Many colleges and universities with hotel and restaurant management programs, including Fairleigh Dickinson University, NYU, Montclair State University, Stockton University and Widener University, The Culinary Institute of America, Johnson & Wales, as well as other schools, will apply the courses taken toward a bachelor’s degree.
They receive training in restaurant and food service management, hospitality management or culinary arts. Those with limited related industry experience are encouraged to enroll in a cooperative work experience seminar that includes paid employment in the final semester. In culinary arts additional training is provided in a culinary externship.
Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Algebra I competency may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or by completion of the appropriate course.
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions. Certificates may be completed in approximately 14 months and the certificate of achievement in approximately 2 semesters.
Yes. All of the culinary courses in the certificate program may be applied to meet the requirements for the A.A.S. degree in the Culinary Arts degree or the Hospitality Management degree.