Culinary Arts
Associate of Science
We’re one of the only Christian universities to offer a degree in culinary arts.
Overview
Culinary arts is more than just cooking food—it’s the ability to develop flavors, create beautiful dishes, provide nutritious meals and bring people together at the table.
Whether you want to work in commercial kitchens or try new recipes and techniques from your own kitchen, this program will give you a head start on your career.
By studying culinary arts at BJU, you’ll gain more than an excellent culinary education and understanding of ingredients. You’ll learn how to think on your feet, work in a team and transform your creative ideas into tasty dishes. Most importantly, you’ll discover how to reflect the Creator through the order and beauty of your food.
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 costs 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.
BJU Core
With over 200 million workers, the food industry needs Christians who faithfully follow Christ. Through English, communication and math 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
Maggie McDowell, ’14
Culinary Arts is much more than a major. Culinary Arts at BJU is a family within a major!
The Chef Instructors have helped me to improve and to further develop the gifts that God has given me in the kitchen. They are much more than instructors. I consider them as family because of the care and dedication they have invested in my life, which has helped me pursue a life dedicated to food but most importantly a life dedicated to Christ.
I have been encouraged to grow and challenged to become a better chef as well as a better individual at BJU.
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
Kitchen Experience
In this hands-on program, you’ll prepare to be an excellent chef who can create various dishes, build flavors and experiment with menu offerings. Experiencing real kitchen conditions will strengthen your communication and time management skills. And using commercial equipment will develop your ability to prepare and use ingredients with the accuracy, efficiency and excellence that’s expected in professional settings.
You’ll also have the opportunity to use classic, more communal cooking techniques to make wood-fired pizzas and flatbreads in our outdoor cob oven.
During your internship with a local restaurant, bakery or catering business, you’ll elevate your food knowledge and creation skills under professional chefs. You’ll gain first-hand experience from the business side of food service while observing, imitating and collaborating with culinary experts to improve the quality, presentation and flavors of your food.
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
Bistro Dinner & Fine Dining
Each semester, you’ll collaborate with your classmates to create delicious, themed menus for bistro dinners and fine dining events.
From preparing food in advance and using several cooking techniques to plating decadent dishes and serving each course, you’ll experience what it’s like to run a fully operational restaurant that serves both bistro-style and six-course meals.
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
Division of Management
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
Sample Course Outline
1st Year
- Cooking Methods
- Food & Purchasing
- Introductory Bakeshop
- English Composition
(3 credits) - Pathways
2nd Year
- Fine Dining
- Food Service Management
- Christianity & the Arts
- Foundations of Economics
- Mathematics or Science Elective
(3 credits)
- Program
- BJU Core
- Elective
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.