Culinary Arts

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree, Diploma, Certificate

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Our Culinary Arts program combines science, skill, technique, and your creativity. It is a foundation you build on during hands-on internships or a full, 6000-hour apprenticeship. Give our expert instructors up to three years and gain a great lifelong career. Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship may even cover your tuition.

What You Learn in Culinary Arts

In culinary arts, you study all that goes into preparing nutritious and creative meals, including the science and techniques that make a dish memorable. Learn about purchasing, cost control, and management. You choose: a Culinary Arts degree or a Culinary Arts Apprenticeship degree. The difference? An extra year and an extra 5,200 hours of paid on-site work experience and mentorship. Finish the apprenticeship and graduate with a Journeyman Chef Certificate. You are on your way. Join the staff of a five-star or start your own.

What Can I Do With a Culinary Arts Degree? 

Be an executive chef or an expert sous chef. Lead kitchen and menu operations for a restaurant, hotel, or college campus. Be a head cook. Open a bar or corner bistro. Your EICC education touches on every facet of the food and beverage industry. 

A Solid Foundation

Baking Fundamentals

Why so sweet?

Baking Fundamentals

Learn baking theory and prep, and the big role science and math play.

Garde Manger

Feel the chill

Garde Manger

Prepare salads, pâté, cold appetizers, ice carvings, and show platters.

Profit Engineering

Go green, not red

Profit Engineering

Calculate and control costs, and run a profitable business

Food Prep

Fabricate protein?

Food Prep

Become an expert in starches, sauces, fish, soups, and more

Similar Programs

Not quite right? Consider these instead:

Tour the Culinary Lab

Culinary students cooking in lab

Program Standards

All students in the Culinary Arts program are expected to meet certain technical standards that are essential to the successful completion of all phases of the program, and that reflect industry requirements and standards.

LEARN ABOUT PROGRAM STANDARDS
Two students talking with Student Services staff member

Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship

You may be eligible to earn a degree in this high-demand field for zero tuition costs! You file for financial aid, and if your Expected Family Contribution is at or below $20,000, the state covers the remaining balance beyond the aid for which you are eligible. More than two dozen career programs qualify, including this one. File your FAFSA by July 15.

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Two culinary students cutting ingredients

Be a Journeyman Chef

Strengthen your resume with a U.S. Department of Labor Journeyman Chef Certificate. In our Culinary Arts Apprenticeship program, you spend 6,000 hours working on-site under the supervision of a journeyman chef or kitchen manager. Be cross-trained in multi-levels of cooking and methods at any of the 65 approved apprenticeship sites. Graduate with a degree and a U.S. Department of Labor Journeyman Chef Certificate.

Teri Carton

Dedicated Program Advisor

We know your time is valuable and we honor it. Our program has one advisor who is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way through graduation. One call or one email, to one person. Get all of your questions answered, guidance on courses and schedules, and a familiar face and voice who recognizes yours, too.

Contact Teri
Student serving pasta in chef whites

Start in High School

Get a jump on your college education while you are in high school. Through our Career Academies, complete a semester to a full year of courses. It's free and cuts down on the time you spend completing your EICC degree, often in half. Save time and money, and launch your career sooner.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CAREER ACADEMIES
 

Your Degree = Success

Complete your education in two years. Qualify for better jobs. Earn a higher salary. Enjoy a better quality of life. The benefits of an associate's degree are impressive and wide-ranging.

Explore the value of an associate’s degree

Employment and Wage Outlook

Contact Admissions

Contact the admissions representative from the college you plan to attend. If you’re not sure, you may contact any rep. Each can answer questions about any college or program.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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Culinary Arts Certificate: Locations

Clinton Career Advancement Center

Clinton Career Advancement Center

1210 11th Ave. S.
Clinton, IA 52732
Map and Directions

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAREER ADVANCEMENT CENTER
Button Factory restaurant

The Button Factory

215 W. Mississippi Drive
Muscatine, IA 52761
Map and Directions

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE Button Factory
Culinary Arts building

Culinary Arts Center

500 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Map and Directions

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CULINARY ARTS CENTER

Culinary Arts Diploma & Degree: Locations

Culinary Arts building

Culinary Arts Center

500 Belmont Road
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Map and Directions

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CULINARY ARTS CENTER