Culinary Arts at Brightwater | NorthWest Arkansas Community College
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Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts

Female chef stiring a pot and teaching two female culinary students

Brightwater’s Culinary Arts program prepares you to become a professional culinarian who approaches food in an exploratory fashion. You'll be immersed in the culinary world, learning every aspect of the food system - how food is grown, transported and processed. You'll also understand the impact that flavor and food has on human health and the environment.

As a culinary arts student, you will have the opportunity to grow food at Brightwater's greenhouse, learn butchery and charcuterie skills, methods of food preservation, and study culinary nutrition by following an innovative curriculum. You'll also be able to move outside the classroom and engage with chefs, farmers and other food entrepreneurs and work in various positions within the local community.

By valuing an inquiry-based learning approach, Brightwater instructors will not only help you master specific culinary techniques, but will also challenge you to apply those skills in your own innovative way.

Upon completion of the program, you'll feel equipped to view food as more than just food, but as a connection to culture, art, environment and the community.


Courses

CISQ 1103 Intro to Computer Information
ENGL 1013 Composition I
ENGL 1023 Composition II

Choose ONE

MATH 1003 Survey of Technical Math OR
MTCM 1003 Comm and Math for Workforce AND MATH 1001 Special Topics Surv Tech Math
MATH 1204 College Algebra with Review *

* Students intending to transfer to a 4 year institution should take College Algebra

FDST 1003 Food Systems
FDST 1013 Food Safety
FDST 1023 Foundations
FDST 1103 Culinary Nutrition
FDST 1503 Beverage Management
FDST 1603 Cost Control

FDST 1033 Sauces
FDST 1043 Applied Farming
FDST 1203 Baking
FDST 1403 Butchery and Charcuterie
FDST 2013 Seasonal Kitchen
FDST 2003 World Cuisine
FDST 2013 Seasonal Kitchen
FDST 2023 Events Catering
FDST 2803 Culinary Capstone
FDST 2903 Internship **

** FDST 2911 Practicum I, FDST 2921 Practicum II, and FDST 2931 Practicum III, may substitute for FDST 2903 Internship


Degree, Costs & Careers

NWACC proudly offers students an accessible and affordable higher education. Visit the Treasurer's office  for detailed fees.

Remember, financial aid is available for eligible students.

In addition to tuition costs, students will be responsible for the approximate cost of the items listed below to complete the program:

Item Approximate Cost
Uniform $150
Culinary Set $250
Textbooks $400
Lab Fees Visit the Treasurer's office

Uniforms, textbooks, and culinary sets are available through the NWACC Bookstore.

Opportunities continue to be endless in the food industry as it is always evolving and innovating. Brightwater's programs prepare you for a career that fits your specific skills, personality and aspirations.

Receiving an AAS degree focusing in Culinary Arts will allow you a chance to progress rapidly in the industry in an array of diverse settings.

Some opportunities include:

  • Caterer
  • Executive Chef
  • Food Stylist
  • Recipe Developer
  • Restaurant Owner
  • Chef Instructor
  • Food Journalist
  • Cookbook Author
  • Food Photographer
  • Sous Chef
  • Personal Chef
  • Butcher
  • Cafeteria Manager