Culinary Arts Institute

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The Culinary Arts Institute has been preparing aspiring chefs for a career in the food and beverage industry for decades. Dining at your favorite restaurants, you may be currently enjoying one of our alums’ cuisines. In the meantime, we invite you to come dine with us in one of our two restaurants we operate on campus to experience our students in training. We also hope you will join us for one of our many special events we offer the community as part of our students learning experience. You can expect the best in food and service.

If you are a person who loves to create great food, plan events and see the results of your guests experiencing a fine dining service, a career in Culinary Arts and or Hospitality Management may be for you. Come visit and learn more about what we have to offer our students at CSI.

Culinary Arts Institute - Our students are always in good taste.

culinary arts degree

The Culinary Arts program is accredited with the American Culinary Federation.  Upon graduation with their AAS degree, students will receive their certified culinarian from the A.C.F.  The design of the curriculum is to prepare the student for a career in culinary arts that may lead to Executive Chef with industry experience should they seek it.  CSI faculty are experienced industry professionals dedicated to student learning and skill development in their classrooms, restaurants, and special events.  In addition to hands-on cooking and baking course work, students will learn guests services, cost analysis, menu development, wine and spirits, and event planning.  Students will have the opportunity to learn food competitions or be a part of our award winning Ice Carving Team.  CSI operates two levels of restaurants for students to develop and hone their skills to current dining operations.

ACFEFAC Program Outcomes Report

Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate

The Pastry Art Certificate is designed to prepare the student for a career in Baking and Pastry Arts. Some Pastry Chefs may specialize in breads, tortes, or even wedding cake design. Opportunities for employment are in private clubs, fine dining restaurants, food markets, or as their own entrepreneurs. Specialized courses include plated desserts, cake decorating, chocolate candy making, and sugar artistry. Some students combine certification with their Culinary Arts Degree to enhance their skill development.

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT - HOSPITALITY

This program, leading to an Associate in Applied Science Degree, is designed to develop skills and knowledge essential for employment in the Hospitality Industry to include food and beverage operations, guest services, sales and event planning. The program provides courses in sanitation certification, wine and spirits, front office operations, event planning, financial analysis and leadership management.

The student will acquire practical experience in their coursework by performing hands on skills at multiple levels in our on campus restaurants, and special events. Students will experience special event planning first hand as student manager planning special events for the public. Students will visit hospitality venues and complete an internship within a hospitality operation best related to their career path of choice. The Hospitality graduates career can lead to management positions in their hospitality field of choice with acquired industry experience and attaining higher education and/or certification that may be required.

RESTAURANTS

OCC Grab N Go features our delicious Ridgewood menu as a convenient grab n go lunch! Open Mondays on the 3rd floor of J Building. Please email Rachel Lewis to be placed on our email list for pre-ordering.

Ridgewood Café, where menu items are freshly prepared by our students from scratch and change weekly. Entrees are between $7 and $10 and include vegetable and a starch. Open Mondays in our beautiful 4th floor restaurant space. Please email Rachel Lewis or call 248.522.3700 for reservations.

Reflections open most Thursdays for lunch at 11:15 am from mid-September thru mid-April. We are closed during semester breaks, and holidays. Select one of three entrees from our prix fixe menu and pair with a glass of wine or beer if that's your fancy. Please email Rachel Lewis or call 248.522.3700 for reservations.

Ridgewood Bakery, purchase fresh baked goods from our bakery counter. We have a great selection of beautiful breads, pies, Danish, cookies and more. All are made in-house by our baking program students. Not open Fall 2021.