Enter the Workforce with a Degree in Culinary Arts

Blue Ridge CTC’s degree in Culinary Art provides a foundation to a promising culinary career. Our program incorporates hands-on learning, practical knowledge, and the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.

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Enroll in a Culinary Arts Associate Degree Program Designed For You

The Blue Ridge CTC Associate degree in Culinary Arts is designed by industry experts to give students an opportunity to land successful, high-paying careers in the food service field.

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Are You a New Student?

Set a solid foundation in the food service field with a two-year Associate degree in Culinary Arts. Blue Ridge CTC offers a blend of real-world knowledge and additional workforce skills employers look for in qualified applicants.

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Transferring Schools?

You are not alone, as almost a third of students transfer schools! Check our transfer evaluation tool to save money and time while transferring to our Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts.

$50,160

Average Salary

For chefs and head cooks annually.

25 %

Job Growth

Expected for employment in the culinary field between 2020 to 2030.

28,800

New Jobs

Projected each year on an average for in-demand culinary-related occupations.

Why Earn an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts?

With an associate degree in Culinary Arts, students gain industry-specific knowledge and skills that provide a smooth transition into the workforce. Our Culinary Arts program:

    • Offers essential aspects of culinary foundations.
    • Strengthens soft skills like communication and leadership.
    • Prepares students for lucrative career opportunities in the culinary industry.
    • Enables critical thinking and essential skills to overcome real workforce challenges.

Build a Promising Career With a Culinary Arts Degree

Do you have the curiosity and desire to pursue a rewarding career in the culinary industry? Master the trade with the Blue Ridge CTC’s Culinary Arts associate degree program! Our curriculum is guided by experienced faculty who provide extensive culinary knowledge in a classroom environment.

The Blue Ridge CTC Associate Degree in Culinary Arts uses evaluation and creativity to take learning to the next level. The curriculum focuses on nutrition, safety, food origins, food costs, product efficiency, and more. Students are developed into professionals ready to enter the culinary workforce.

Earn this degree from our School of Workforce Development and Engineering Technologies.

2-year

Degree Program

Formats

On-campus, Hybrid

60

Credit Hours

Ready to Enroll?

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What Will You Learn - Curriculum Overview

With an associate degree in Culinary Arts, students learn culinary foundations through practical lab experience and prepare for entry into the food service, tourism or hospitality industry.

Blue Ridge CTC’s associate degree in Culinary Arts equips students with skills related to nutrition, safety, and sanitation, origins of food, food history, food costing, product efficiency, and more. Our extensive curriculum allows students to:

    • Identify and describe procedures and techniques for controlling food costs.
    • Practice team building and communication.
    • Identify and execute cooking methods.
    • Demonstrate professionalism and a good attitude.

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Build Your Future With Blue Ridge CTC

Blue Ridge CTC offers a holistic, industry-focused approach to learning, leading to a path-breaking career and continuing education opportunities.

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    4000+

    Students Per Semester

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    60+

    Degree & Certificate Programs

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    14:1

    Student-Faculty Ratio

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    Fully

    Accredited

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What You Experience at Blue Ridge CTC

Blue Ridge CTC acts as a catalyst to career goals, gives students exposure to real-time career prospects, and provides a learning environment supporting personal and professional growth.

World-class Pedagogy That Shapes Future Leaders!

Effective faculty is the backbone of any school. Our faculty are committed teachers and scholars who:

Deliver real-world learning to shape a students’ job market competency.

Impart teaching that promotes creativity and sets the base for further 4-year programs.

Extend a smart learning model that raises job prospects.

Integrate best-in-class learning formats and resources to drive focused learning.

Student Support Services and Spaces for Balanced Learning!

We provide comprehensive Student Support Services to promote student success.

Student Services provides a variety of support, including tutoring, accessibility accommodations, and more!

We provide high-tech classes, supporting labs, and study areas to promote a balanced education.

We recognize talent and celebrate performance with awards and acknowledgments.

We have supportive staff to help with personal, professional, and academic challenges.

Placement Assistance to Nurture Careers!

We support students from admission through the career search! Career Services assists students:

Find the right kind of job with a career inventory assessment.

Get assistance on resume writing and referral to participating employer partners.

With interview preparation to boost their morale and get prepared with the right narration to win job negotiations.

Get a holistic learning environment, where they are nurtured to become the next set of professionals entering the workforce.

Promoting Equity to Develop an Intercultural College Environment!

As a community of students, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders, we strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campuses, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Campus diversity encourages open dialogue on campus.

Equity removes barriers and ensures equal opportunities are afforded to all.

Our campus offers an inclusive, welcoming environment where all are valued, celebrated, and included.

The campus community promotes diversity and inclusion through a variety of speakers and events.

Hands-on Training and Internship Opportunities

We are committed to providing students with real-time training and internship opportunities to enter the workforce directly after graduating

We provide industry expert instruction to strengthen job-specific skills needed for real-world challenges.

We assist students with internship opportunities to find their way to a successful career.

We provide industry-certified expert supervision and guidance to raise students’ job prospects in the Government and Private sectors.

Our campus is well equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, machinery, hardware, and software required to provide the technical skills needed for real jobs.

Our Learner’s Voice!

Learn more about alumni who successfully reached their goals by earning an education at Blue Ridge CTC!

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Worried About Paying for College? Many Options Exist for Financial Aid.

Blue Ridge CTC provides need-based financial aid to qualified applicants, ensuring all students have equal access to quality education.

Whether you are a student worrying about tuition fees or are a parent assisting a child paying for college, we have a wide variety of financial resources available.

    • State and Federal Grant Programs
    • Student Work-Study Opportunities
    • Student Loans
    • Special Grant Funding Opportunities
    • Blue Ridge CTC Foundation Scholarship opportunities

Get Financial Aid

Have Questions? Talk With an Admissions Counselor Today!

Admissions Counselors and Academic Advisors at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College help students navigate career paths throughout their academic career.

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Expand Your Choices

Explore other program options that may meet your skills, talents, and personal qualities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have doubts about the Culinary Arts program? We can help!

With Blue Ridge CTC’s Culinary Arts degree, students have a unique advantage of being part of the industry's most influential alumni network. Our innovative curriculum combined with world-class faculty provide a premier culinary training experience.
Admission requirements for Blue Ridge CTC include a high school diploma or equivalent and a complete application packet. Students who have earned credits at other Colleges or Universities must also provide official copies of those transcripts. There is also a $25 application fee that can be paid at any time after submitting the application.
Blue Ridge CTC associate degree in Culinary Arts does not require ACT or SAT scores to qualify for admission to the program. . Students may need ACT or SAT scores, or free placement testing to qualify for courses such as English, Math, or Chemistry. Placement testing can be scheduled at any time during the application process.
The Blue Ridge CTC ‘s associate degree in Culinary Arts provides students advanced knowledge and industry-specific skills through a well-designed curriculum that ensures students:
  • Demonstrate an organized and sanitary workstation.
  • Demonstrate accurate measuring and portioning.
  • Identify and describe procedures and techniques for controlling food costs.
  • Demonstrate accurately sized knife cuts.
  • Demonstrate how to handle and operate knives and kitchen equipment safely.
  • Practice team building and communication.
  • Identify ingredients.
  • Follow standardized recipes and production procedures.
  • Identify and execute cooking methods.
  • Demonstrate professionalism (clean and complete uniform, on time, good attitude, respectful).
When selecting a Culinary Arts program, be sure to research:
  • Institutional accreditation by recognized authorities
  • Qualified faculty and industry-driven learning delivery
  • Job prospects and placement assistance
  • Financial Aid to Qualified Applicants
With a degree in culinary arts, you will be eligible to work in various roles such as restaurant chef, executive chef, saucier, garden manager, personal chef, caterer, baking and pastry chef, food service, or restaurant manager, and more.

Disclaimer

Note: All salary projections are based on the current position and educational needs. BRCTC cannot guarantee that job titles or the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive. Two year completion is approximate and based on full-time enrollment. Student testimonials, income statements, and examples on the College website are the results of real students. These testimonials are not intended to guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results. Each individual’s success depends on his or her desire, commitment, dedication, and motivation to pursue academic and workforce opportunities. Testimonials are not intended to create a contract between a student and the College.

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