2025-2026 College Catalog

Culinary Arts Diploma

Culinary Arts Diploma (Major Code: CA44)

Program Description

The Culinary Arts Diploma program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for the culinary profession. Learning opportunities develop academic, occupational, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of culinary theory, safety and sanitation, nutrition, and practical applications necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Culinary Arts Diploma. Graduates who are current practitioners will benefit through enhancement of career potential. Entry-level persons will be prepared to pursue diverse opportunities in the culinary field as cooks, bakers, or caterers/culinary managers.

Atlanta Technical College offers an award winning Culinary Arts diploma program that prepares aspiring chefs and food service professionals for the culinary profession. Why not study in a city with a reputation of impeccable southern charm, fine dining and world-class sophistication? The Culinary Arts program emphasizes a combination of culinary theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Atlanta is home to the world's busiest airport and provides a rich and eclectic blend of foodservice/hospitality businesses in which to pursue a vibrant career. Gain hands on experience while studying in Atlanta, a city that has hosted over 45 million tourists annually, has been named by the New York Times as one of the top "52 Places to Go in 2014." Atlanta Technical College also offers opportunities to train or upgrade present knowledge or skills. Students will be prepared to pursue diverse opportunities in the culinary field as cooks, bakers, or caterers or food-service managers both here or around the world. The Culinary Arts program of Atlanta Technical College is an American Culinary Federation (ACF) accredited program.

Programmatic Accreditation

Accredited by the American Culinary Federation, Inc., 180 Center Place Way St. Augustine, FL 32095, Phone: 904.484.0215, Fax: 904. 940.0741, website: www.acfchefs.org

AY24 Graduation Rate - 65%
AY24 Job Placement Rate -100%

AY24 ACF Certification Rate - 60%

 

Career Information

Occupation

Chefs and Head Cooks

Career Projections

The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 18% nationally and 18% in the State of Georgia over the next several years. Estimated salaries in this field start at $35,000 a year.
Labor market data was compiled using Economic Modeling Specialists, international and is updated annually.

Career Coach

Please select the following link to review additional career information on Career Coach.

Admission Requirements

General College Admissions Requirements

Blood and Airborne Pathogens

Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens.

These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information. Policies and procedures regarding blood and airborne pathogens may be reviewed at https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/tcsg_policy_manual.pdf.

Program Contact Information

Tieaka Blocker

Program Director: Culinary Arts

Academic Building C110F

404-225-4575

tblocker@atlantatech.edu

Program Length and Cost

Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 4 Terms

Credit Hours: 52

Estimated Program Cost: $8,510

Additional Cost: Professional Chef Uniforms and Professional Knife Kit: $1,000 - $1,500

Required Courses

General Education Courses - (8 Credits)

English Requirement - (3 Credits)

Select one of the following English courses

ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I

3

Or

ENGL 1005Applied Technical Communication

3

Math Requirement - (3 Credits)

Select one of the following Math Courses

MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics

3

Or

MATH 1005Applied Technical Mathematics

3

Social/Behavioral Science Requirement - (2 Credits)

EMPL 1000Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development

2

Occupational Courses (44 Credits)

COMP 1000Introduction to Computer Literacy

3

CHEF 1000Fundamentals of Culinary Arts

3

CHEF 1110Culinary Safety and Sanitation

3

CHEF 1500Baking Principles I

5

CHEF 2010Garde Manger

4

CHEF 1530Fundamentals of Restaurant Operations

5

CHEF 2030Contemporary Cuisine

4

CHEF 1150Introduction to Nutrition and Sustainable Practices

3

CHEF 1510Menu Development

2

Select one of the Leadership Courses

MGMT 1115Leadership

3

Or

CHEF 1140Principles of Culinary Leadership

3

Culinary_Hospitality Related Elective Options

CHEF 2001Baking Principles II

3

Or

CHEF 2020International Cuisine

3

Or

CHEF 2040American Regional Cuisine

3

Or

CHEF 2050Irish Cuisine and Culture

3

Or

CHEF 2100 Culinary Practicum

6

Or

CHEF 2250Advanced Baking Principles

6

Cooking Option - 6 credits

CHEF 1120Principles of Cooking

6

Or

CHEF 1122Foundations of Cooking Principles

3

CHEF 1124Foundations of Cooking Techniques

3

Total Credit Hours: 52

 

Program Outcomes

1. Graduates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the operation, maintenance and cleaning of the tools and machines used in a modern foodservice establishment.
2. Graduates should be able to demonstrate proper sanitation and safety techniques for all aspects of the food service establishment.
3. Graduates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and application of culinary techniques, methods, and terminology used in modern food preparation.
4. Graduates should be able to demonstrate an in depth knowledge of all the major food products used in a commercial food service establishment.
5. Graduates should be able to demonstrate an ability to maintain an organized file of recipes and preparation methods.
6. Graduates should be able to demonstrate the ability to accurately measure and formulate recipes that result in consistent desired results each and every time, both in quality and cost.
7. Graduates should be able to demonstrate the ability to organize a food preparation workstation.