Culinary Arts

Certificate Technical Degree

Ready to turn up the heat in the kitchen? With hands-on training in a modern center and expert guidance, you’ll be prepared to excel as a chef or pastry chef in any restaurant, resort, or hotel. Plus, San Jac offers scholarships, financial aid, and opportunities to compete in culinary contests. Spice things up—enroll in our culinary arts program today!

Why you should choose San Jac's culinary arts program.

Train in a Real Professional Kitchen

Gain hands-on experience in our first-class culinary building, housing modern, industry-standard kitchens where you'll learn essential cooking techniques, food preparation, and professional service skills used in real culinary workplaces.

Industry-Recognized Certification That Impresses Employers

Study in an American Culinary Federation–certified program that meets national standards and prepares you for the ACF Certified Culinarian credential recognized by employers.

Flexible Career Pathways to Match Your Goals

Choose from certificate and associate degree options designed to fit your goals, whether you want to enter the workforce quickly or build toward long-term career growth.

culinary student posing with kitchen aid

Prepare for a Wide Range of Culinary Careers

Develop skills for careers in restaurants, hotels, catering, and hospitality, with training that translates across a wide range of food service settings.

Careers

Chefs and Head Cooks

$54,025

Bakers

$33,995

Food Service Managers

$69,622

Opportunities

With a degree or certificate in culinary arts, you can find a career as a:

Chef
Line Cook
Pastry Chef
Culinary Specialist
Caterer
Restaurant Manager

Locations

North Campus

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Salary Source: Texas Wages

Culinary Arts, AAS

Technical Degree

With the Associate of Applied Science degree, you'll be prepared to start your career in culinary arts. Train as a cook and apprentice chef. Learn principles of food and beverage composition, experience using and maintaining commercial restaurant equipment, and develop basic supervisory skills.

2 Years

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 60 credits for this program in four terms.

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Culinary Arts, Certificate of Technology

Certificate

The Certificate of Technology prepares you for the degree program, an entry-level career, or advancement in your current career. This certificate provides basic education and training for cooks and apprentice chefs. It emphasizes the development of technical food preparation and service skills, the principles of food composition, the use and of maintenance of professional food service equipment, and basic supervisory skills.

1.5 Years

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 42 credits for this certificate in three terms.

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Culinary Arts, Occupational Certificate

Certificate

The Occupational Certificate provides training for positions in commercial food service, covering the various operations of restaurants, hotel food service, cafeterias, coffee shops, catering, and other areas of food service specialty. You can use this certificate to enter the field or continue on with the Certificate of Technology or AAS degree.

6 Months

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 15 credits for this certificate in one term.

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Pastry Chef Specialty, AAS

Technical Degree

Launch your pastry chef career with an Associate of Applied Science degree. You'll learn cake decorating, chocolates, confection sugars, bakeshop production, plate presentation, and fundamentals of baking. In addition, you'll learn food and beverage cost control, nutritional components of food and desserts, and basic supervisory skills.

2 Years

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 60 credits for this program in five terms, including a summer term.

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Pastry Chef Specialty, Certificate of Technology

Certificate

The Certificate of Technology prepares you for the degree program, an entry-level career, or advancement in your current career. Courses in cake decorating, chocolates, confections, and bakeshop production are just some of the exciting and challenging classes you will take on your road to becoming a pastry chef. As a Pastry Chef student, you will spend time learning from our award-winning chef instructors as you learn and operate in our state-of-the-art kitchen and bakery.

1.5 Years

If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 39 credits for this certificate in three terms.

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Ready to take the first step toward an exciting future? It’s time to apply to San Jac. We’ll guide you through the process and help you start building your future, today.

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Got questions about Culinary Arts at San Jac? Here are quick answers to help you get cooking on your career.

Do I need prior experience in cooking to join the program?

No, you do not need to have prior experience. The program is designed to teach you foundational skills from day one, whether you’re just passionate about cooking or planning a career in food service.

Will I get hands-on, real-world kitchen experience?

Yes! You’ll train in industry-standard kitchens, learning essential culinary techniques, plating, food safety, and professional service skills that prepare you for a career in restaurants, hotels, catering, and more.

Does the program help me get certified?

Absolutely. San Jac’s Culinary Arts program is American Culinary Federation certified, and graduates are eligible for the ACF Certified Culinarian credential, a nationally recognized distinction employers value.

What kinds of careers can I pursue after graduating?

Graduates are ready for a wide range of careers including chef, line cook, pastry chef, caterer, or restaurant manager, and many also move into hospitality operations in hotels, clubs, and catering companies.

How long does the program take to complete?

It depends on the path you choose. Certificates can be completed quickly to start your career, while the Associate of Applied Science degree provides more in-depth training for advanced skills and leadership roles.

Is the kitchen calling you?

Wondering if a culinary career is right for you? Find out how San Jac can turn your passion for food into a profession.

What kind of hands-on experience excites you the most? Working in a real kitchen using professional tools and equipment
Practicing cooking, baking, and beverage skills on actual orders
Serving or plating food in a restaurant-style environment
Gaining real-world experience that prepares me for a culinary career

How do you want your culinary education to support your career? Prepare for industry-recognized certification like the ACF Certified Culinarian
Build career-ready skills for restaurants, catering, hotels, or my own business
Learn both technical cooking skills and professional workplace skills
Follow a flexible program path that fits my goals, whether certificate or degree

How do you see yourself using your culinary training in the future? Starting a career in a restaurant, hotel, or catering business
Advancing into leadership or kitchen management roles
Launching my own culinary business or catering venture
Exploring a wide range of opportunities in the growing food service industry

What do you expect to gain from the Culinary Arts program at San Jac? Experimenting with flavors, plating, and creative food presentation
Learning how kitchens run behind the scenes, from prep to service
Discovering tips and tricks from experienced chefs and instructors
Connecting with fellow students who share your passion for food

San Jacinto College Student with Advisor

At San Jac, you’re never alone. Our teams ensure you have the support you need to achieve your academic goals.

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Culinary Arts AAS

After graduation, you will be able to:

Differentiate various types of wholesale and retail cuts of meat using the USDA quality grades and control.
Perform various types of knife skills and cuts.
Interpret and practice industry specific policies and procedures regarding sanitation and safety.
Use various measuring devices.
Operate professional restaurant equipment.
Produce and prepare standardized recipes.

Pastry Arts AAS

After graduation, you will be able to:

Utilize safety and sanitation methods.
Perform five primary mixing methods including creaming, foaming, biscuit, straight dough, and old dough.
Temper egg products to create a variety of custard products.
Utilize principles of business management including purchasing and receiving, teamwork, and professionalism.
Plate, garnish, and execute visually appealing pastry items.
Perform the nine stages of baking and basic yeast bread procedures.
Create and utilize a variety of buttercreams and meringues.
Apply the properties of sugar including the use of doctoring agents, caramelization points, and the effects of temperature.

Restaurant Management AAS

After graduation, you will be able to:

Navigate various forms of restaurant technology.
Interpret and practice sanitation and safety policies and procedures.
Develop a menu and calculate food cost percentages.
Produce and prepare standardized recipes.
Manage a food service operation including the evaluation of employees.

Academic Year 2020-2021

program	Graduation	acf rates	job
3 cula	75%	0%	75%
3 cula-c	*	0%	*
3 cula-pc	66.70%	0%	50%
3 cula-rstr	0%	0%	100%
4 cula	28.6%	0%	60%
4 cula-c	0%	0%	*
4 cula-pc	0%	0%	100%
4 cula-rstr	25%	0%	100%