Why Study Culinary Arts?

The Culinary Arts program offers preparation in the fields of culinary arts, restaurant management, and hotel management. We offer hands-on Culinary Arts courses on the Nyack campus in our state-of-the-art kitchen lab, which features restaurant-quality equipment. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared for positions in restaurants, catering facilities, institutional food service companies, hotels, cruise lines, gaming establishments and other related areas. If a student decides to continue their education at the baccalaureate level, we have many articulation agreements with other institutions to transfer your RCC credits.

The new Hospitality and Culinary Arts Center is located in the iconic, Hudson River town of Nyack, NY. The Center offers credited degree and non-credited programming to students, community and tourists. Additionally, the Center strives to strengthen the local and national foothold of artisanal foods, craft beverages and agro-tourism originating from the Mid-Hudson Valley region, and to support community initiatives for Rockland County residents and our nearby friends.


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Real World Ready

Listening to workforce needs

Graduates of Rockland Community College are provided with a clear path to meaningful careers that meet the needs of businesses and industry in the communities we serve. Our students are trained in specific skills that are needed by employers, and guided through a career path that leads directly to workforce opportunities. With affordable tuition, students who begin their college careers at RCC are ready to meet the demands of the real world.

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Student Success

At Rockland Community College, you are provided with a Student Success Team that will help you with your academic journey, career exploration, transfer planning, support service referrals, and more! Your Team includes your Dean, Program Director, Faculty Advisor, Student Success Advisor, Connection Center Counselor, Financial Aid Advisor, Peer Mentors, and if you’re involved in any of these special programs, your Athletics, Honors, TRiO, and Veterans Advisors. During your first semester, you will take an ‘Introduction to the School’ course that will outline the various College offices and departments that can help you on your path.

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Career Outlook

Upon completing the AAS Culinary Arts program, students will be prepared for entry-level positions in restaurants, catering companies, fast food or institutional food service settings. For those currently employed in the industry and seeking advancement, the degree can help expand and upgrade culinary arts skills and further advance employment opportunities.

Internships

Internships, with paid and non-paid options, are required for the Culinary Arts program. Internships teach students real world skills that are learned outside of the classroom in the culinary industry.

Job Roles

Private Chef, Line Cook, Kitchen Supervisor, Pastry Chef, Sous Chef, Lead Cook, Catering Chef, Food Truck Operator, and Store Manager

Industries

Restaurants, Cafes, Food Service Management, Cafeterias at Educational Institutions, Catering, Fast Food Chains, Healthcare, and Event Planning


Careers

Chefs and Head Cooks

$62,050 NYS Average
National Average $58,740 annually

Cooks

$35,220 NYS Average
National Average $32,350 annually

Food Service Managers

$74,830 NYS Average
National Average $61,000 annually

Employment and wage data by occupation are based on the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, which collects information from approximately 51,000 businesses. labor.ny.gov

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Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds. RCC has become the “first choice” for parents and students. Thanks to our affordable tuition, students can save $100,000 on a college education by starting at RCC and transferring to outstanding four-year colleges.