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Culinary students

Culinary Arts

Associate of Science

We’re one of the only Christian universities to offer a degree in culinary arts.

Overview

As a good gift from God, food connects everyone in the world. All people eat and enjoy great meals. By studying culinary arts at BJU, you’ll gain more than an excellent culinary education—you’ll learn how to reflect God in the beauty, creativity and mastery of food.

You’ll also learn how God uses food to remind people of their dependence on Him for everything, and how God has designed the temporary satisfaction found in food to draw people to Himself, the only true Satisfier of their souls.

photo of student cooking

Program

You’ll lay a solid foundation in culinary concepts as you prepare to be a culinary expert. Learn how to create delicious foods from scratch, prepare food using different cooking methods and build complex flavors. In this program, you’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience in various settings to master your culinary skills.

You’ll also develop the vital skill of determining food cost so you know each dish’s cost and how to make a profit for your eating establishment. Courses in menu creation, food service management and operations will prepare you for every part of your industry.

Since many businesses in the food industry require employees to pass the ServSafe exam (an accredited food/beverage safety exam given by the National Restaurant Association) before beginning work, you’ll complete it so you’re prepared to start your job upon graduation.

Licensure Disclosure

BJU Core

At over 200 million workers, the food industry needs Christians who faithfully follow Christ. With English, speech and mathematics courses, you’ll improve your communication and food costing skills. Your Bible courses will help you understand and establish your beliefs in the truth of God’s Word. And you’ll be inspired to live out your faith at work and share the Gospel with others.

Electives

Since culinary arts is a busy program, much of your class schedule is already filled with required courses. If you’d like to take extra courses in areas such as business, nutrition or health sciences, you can explore summer online course options.

Success

Your Future

Jobs

The culinary arts program at BJU unlocks many career possibilities.

  • Executive chef
  • Caterer
  • Personal chef
  • Baker
  • Pastry chef
  • Line cook
  • Food and beverage manager
  • Kitchen manager

Graduate Experience

Our grads have entered many careers and secured jobs as:

  • Kitchen Manager, Le Peep
  • Pastry Chef, Hotel Domestique
  • Owner, The Upper Room Family Restaurant
  • Executive Chef, The Livermore in East Liberty
  • Pastry Chef, Kingwood Golf Club and Resort
  • Food and Beverage Manager, Marriott Hotels
  • Culinary Specialist, U.S. Foodservice
  • Pastry Chef, La Torretta Lake Resort and Spa
  • Chef de Cuisine, CAMP

Career Support

BJU’s Center for Career & Calling provides career advising, resume prep, job-search assistance, recruitment conferences and more for students and alumni.

Learning Experience

A student cooking

Realistic Kitchen Experience

This hands-on program emphasizes cooking, building flavors, experimenting and preparing you to be an excellent chef. You’ll use commercial kitchen equipment and experience real-life kitchen conditions to help you learn how to effectively communicate with your classmates and organize your tools and ingredients.

And with our outdoor cob oven for wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads, you’ll use traditional cooking methods to forge community through food experiences.

Food Preparation

You’ll also learn how to prepare a wide variety of foods and decorations from scratch.

  • Baked goods
  • Cheeses
  • Ice sculptures
  • Sausages
  • Smoked foods
  • Wedding cakes

A student cooking

Bistro Dinner & Fine Dining

During first semester each year, you’ll collaborate on a menu and prepare dishes for the Friday bistro dinners. For second semester, you and your classmates will have the opportunity to create, prepare and serve a 6-course meal in our evening fine dining events.

In these events you’ll learn how to arrange dishes that appeal to the senses, price each dish for profit and give your customers a great dining experience.

Catering

At BJU you’ll have many opportunities to test your skills in a professional catering setting. With carefully chosen on- and off-campus catering events, you’ll gain valuable, hands-on food service experience and knowledge from every aspect of the industry.

Faculty

Photo of Rob Hansen
Rob Hansen
Division of Management

View Faculty

BJU’s culinary arts faculty are members of the nationally recognized American Culinary Federation. They’ve earned degrees, professional certifications and recognition, including Certified Pastry Culinarian (ACF), ServSafe food protection manager certification (National Restaurant Association) and the Upstate Hospitality Educator of the year.

They have over 55 years of combined culinary experience and over 35 years of combined teaching experience.

Courses & Objectives

Program Objectives

Each student will:

  • Utilize best cooking and baking techniques in food preparation.
  • Apply professional standards in sanitation, food safety and equipment operations.
  • Perform meal planning and food production procedures in a la cate and prix fixe dining.
  • Analyze restaurant operations, personnel management and costing controls.

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