The Culinary Arts are all about the preparation and presentation of food, making it one of the most exciting and fast-paced industries in the world. If you have a passion for tastes and creating artistic, edible masterpieces, then a career in this industry is perfect for you.
A qualification in the Culinary Arts can lead to careers as a Chef, Head Cook, Restaurant Manager or Pastry Chef. Discover the range of culinary arts courses available, and find one that suits you.
Most Chefs tend to be on an hourly rate, with salaries being heavily dependent on experience. The average salary for a Chef according to the New Zealand Occupation Outlook is $44,500. Employment for the Culinary Arts is high, with a projected growth of 3.7% per year, due to a shortage of Chefs in New Zealand who are qualified because of increasing numbers seeking employment overseas.
A Certificate in Food Preparation or Culinary Arts includes all relevant information on nutrition, food preparation, cooking and the use of technology in different elements of cookery. All of these are online culinary arts courses, with the content typically delivered via webinars and videos. In addition to this, a lot of culinary arts courses have home- study and a practical component. Practical industry placement is normally optional, however required to gain International Qualification.
A Diploma in Culinary Arts provide a more practical knowledge of the preparation and presentation of food and is especially suited to those who already have a sound understanding of the industry and its practices. It also covers health and safety in the workplace and the correct handling of food.
A Diploma in Baking or Patisserie is also an alternative for those who wants to specialise in the creation of delicious pastries, cakes, and desserts. From cooking methods, preparation and creative presentation, this course covers everything you need to progress as a specialised Pastry Chef.
These culinary arts courses can take up to a year to complete, and each contains home study as well as practical industry placement to ensure you know not only the relevant theory but can also practice your abilities in hands- on environment.
If you are a qualified, experienced Chef, and want to expand your knowledge, then consider an Advanced Diploma in Cookery Supervision. This advanced course can give you a comprehensive knowledge of how to supervise staff in a kitchen environment, food production monitoring and menu planning.
If you’re seriously passionate about pursuing a career in professional cookery, or even have the dream of one day opening a world- renowned restaurant, then take part in a Bachelor of Culinary Arts. An advanced Degree in Culinary Arts will provide you with everything you need to turn this passion into a successful career, and helping you hone your food talents. This applied course will take up to three years to complete, and also has practical training application in a Culinary school to ensure you have all the mentoring you need to succeed.
