Culinary Arts

The NRTC Culinary Arts program is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of cooking and food preparation. Culinary Arts is a program for students who are interested in careers in the hospitality industry. These careers include restaurant manager, pastry chef and banquet manager. Student chefs develop skills in sanitation and safety, recipe development, food production and plate presentation. Skills in customer service, menu design, knife cuts and catering are also addressed. Student chefs operate the Corner Café which allows for real life practice and development of culinary skills. Corner Café provides student chefs with the opportunity to design a menu, develop marketing strategies and assist in the operation of a restaurant. Culinary Arts is a two year program. Student chefs earn the National Restaurant Association’s ProStart Certification upon completion of the program.

Projects

Equipment

Certification

The National Restaurant Association’s ProStart Certification is offered to all students enrolled in the program. Upon completion of both Levels I and II, students take a technical skills assessment. If students pass both exams, they qualify for the National ProStart Certificate. The ProStart Certificate allows students to articulate credit and qualify for scholarships towards careers in the restaurant industry. 

Post-secondary

Students interested in careers in the culinary arts have tremendous opportunities. Students may choose to complete an associates or bachelors degree in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, and Restaurant or Hospitality Management. The students in NRTC Culinary Arts often consider the following programs: 

Ozarks Technical Community College    

Located in Springfield, Missouri, OTC offers articulated credit, up to six hours for NRTC Culinary Arts Students. OTC accepts A+ for tuition. 

Missouri State University

Located in Springfield, Missouri, MSU offers a bachelors’ degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. MSU accepts all credit if students transfer from the OTC culinary arts program. 

Sullivan University

Located in Louisville, Kentucky, Sullivan offers articulated credit for ProStart graduates. Scholarships are available for participation in both FCCLA and ProStart. 

Johnson and Wales University

Scholarships are available for participation in both FCCLA and ProStart. 

College of the Ozarks

Also known as Hard Work U, College of the Ozarks provides students who qualify with the opportunity to earn a bachelor of arts degree in both culinary arts and hospitality management, debt free. 

Careers

Executive Chef  $57,500 – $90,000

Sous Chef $34,000 – $5,000

Line Cook  $20,000 - $27,000

Pastry Chef $35,000 - $75,000

Restaurant Manager $37,500 – $85,000