Hospitality and Culinary Arts

Hospitality and Culinary Arts certificate programs provide students the skills and knowledge needed to expertly prepare food in a professional kitchen. Students engage in hands-on learning and receive instruction from top-rated instructors.

Student Success

When culinary arts student Marcus Smith Sr. became aware of the immediate need for ready cooked meals at a local hospital due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he had to do something. He took to his school for help. Chef instructors at San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) helped him prepare and donate food. In addition to community work, Marcus will graduate SDCE with a Culinary Arts certificate with plans to continue his education and open a barbeque/French fusion food truck. “This is a dream that I was never able to afford in the past,” he said. “I never enjoyed going to school before.”

Marcus Smith

Introduction to Hospitality Industry

130 HOURS
12.5 to 25 HOURS PER WEEK
6 WEEKS

This program introduces the hospitality industry and prepares students for academic and professional success in the hospitality industry. Students will gain knowledge of industry terminology, a retrospective of early to current cuisines and industry trends, and the major labor market segments. Students will learn skills to develop self-discipline and empathy, self­ management, and self-awareness. Students will also gain an understanding of effectual communication, financial literacy, employability skills, study skills and soft skills that apply to both the classroom and work environment. Students who successfully complete the program will be prepared to enter the hospitality industry in positions such as prep cook and other entry-level positions in the industry.

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Complete two courses:

  • FDNT 501 Intro to Hospitality Careers
  • INDT 500 Career and College Readiness
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Textbooks, Materials Fees Class Notes Class Description version

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Welcome Center

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619-388-SDCE (7323)


Culinary Arts

610 HOURS

Courses are offered in 4 and 5 week formats. Courses can be taken individually for personal enrichment or together to earn a Culinary Arts Career Training Certificate

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Complete six courses:

  • FDNT 671 American Regional Cuisine - 108 hours
  • FDNT 672 Introduction to Principles of Cooking - 108 hours
  • FDNT 673 Principles of Meat and Seafood Fabrication and Cookery - 108 hours
  • FDNT 674 Intro to Vegetables, Starches and Fruit - 108 hours
  • FDNT 675 Baking & Patry Fundamentals - 108 hours
  • FDNT 676 Restaurant Economics & International Cuisine - 70 hours
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Textbooks, Materials Fees Class Notes Class Description version

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Enroll

Enroll in classes in your mySDCCD portal.

Welcome Center

Visit the Virtual Welcome Center or any Welcome Center at a campus near you
619-388-SDCE (7323)


Advanced Culinary Arts

200 HOURS
25 HOURS PER WEEK
8 WEEKS

As an exploration into Current Cuisine and Restaurant Operations that gives students a foundation in molecular gastronomy and culinary/food and beverage management. Farm-to-Table Cuisine and Front-End Restaurant Operations help students learn the fundamentals and principles relevant to this industry. This program is offered during summer semester.

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Complete three courses:

  • FDNT 683 Advanced Culinary Arts I
  • FDNT 684 Advanced Culinary Arts II
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Textbooks, Materials Fees Class Notes Class Description version

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Enroll

Enroll in classes in your mySDCCD portal.

Welcome Center

Visit the Virtual Welcome Center or any Welcome Center at a campus near you
619-388-SDCE (7323)


Culinary Nutrition

162 HOURS
9 HOURS PER WEEK
18 WEEKS

This program provides career readiness skills in the field of nutrition science and meal planning. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of nutrition principles, scientific concepts, food safety, and bodily processes. Students will learn basic nutrition principles and explore how to apply these in a variety pf dishes in order to retain maximum nutrient retention. Topics covered in the program will include national nutrition standards, cultural dietary habits, personal wellness, recipe development, seasonality, health coaching techniques, menu planning costing, and menu production in a laboratory setting. Students will gain an understanding of soft skills such as interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, time management, organizational skills while working in a culturally rich setting. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared for gainful employment as a personal or private chef that specializes in dietary food plans or starting their own cottage industry business.

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Complete two courses:

  • FDNT 618 Nutrition Essentials
  • FDNT 619 Meal Planning Essentials
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Textbooks, Materials Fees Class Notes Class Description version

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Enroll

Enroll in classes in your mySDCCD portal.

Welcome Center

Visit the Virtual Welcome Center or any Welcome Center at a campus near you
619-388-SDCE (7323)


Baking & Pastry Arts I

225 HOURS
12.5 HOURS PER WEEK
18 WEEKS

This program provides career readiness skills in the baking and pastry arts. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of bakeshop product identification, ingredients, and industry techniques. Students will explore the basic culinary skills in the baking industry from baking theory and techniques to hands-on production techniques used in working kitchens and bakeries. Products produced include cookies, pies, tarts, dessert sauces, custards and frozen desserts before ending with artisanal bread production, such as yeasted, non-yeasted, and laminated doughs. Students will gain an understanding of soft skills such as interpersonal skills, conflict resolution, time management, organizational skills while working in a culturally rich setting. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared for gainful employment as an entry-level baker in a commercial bakeshop, restaurant, or starting their own cottage industry business.

Classes are free. Materials fee is $160 for ingredients and supplies. Students are also required to purchase the SDCCE uniform and OnBaking Textbook. Mandatory orientation required prior to enrollment.

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Complete two courses:

  • FDNT 661 Baking & Pastry Essentials
  • FDNT 662 Baking and Artisanal Breads
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Textbooks, Materials Fees Class Notes Class Description version

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Enroll

Enroll in classes in your mySDCCD portal.

Welcome Center

Visit the Virtual Welcome Center or any Welcome Center at a campus near you
619-388-SDCE (7323)


Baking & Pastry Arts II

225 HOURS
12.5 HOURS PER WEEK
18 WEEKS

This program provides career readiness skills in the baking and pastry arts. Students will be exposed to advanced pastry and cake production, as well as chocolate and sugar confectionary work. Students will explore the advanced culinary skills in the baking industry from baking and pastry theory and techniques to hands-on production techniques used in working kitchens, bakeries, and confectionary shops. Products produced include American-style cakes, European tortes, frostings, fillings, decoration mediums, mini pastries, and petit fours before ending with meringues and confections, both chocolate and sugar. Students will also gain an understanding of mass production for buffet pastry items, display techniques, and confectionary showpieces. Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared for gainful employment as an entry to-intermediate level baker, chocolatier, confectioner, and artisanal cake designer in a commercial bakeshop, restaurant, hotel, boutique confectionary store, or starting their own cottage industry business.

Classes are free. Materials fee is $160 for ingredients and supplies. Students are also required to purchase the SDCCE uniform and OnBaking Textbook. Mandatory orientation required prior to enrollment.

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Complete two courses:

  • FDNT 663 Advanced Pastries and Cakes
  • FDNT 664 Chocolate & Sugar Fundamentals
Class Class Number Status Room Type Hours per Week Dates Instructor Class Meetings Textbooks, Materials Fees Class Notes Class Description version

Apply

Enroll

Enroll in classes in your mySDCCD portal.

Welcome Center

Visit the Virtual Welcome Center or any Welcome Center at a campus near you
619-388-SDCE (7323)


Mission: San Diego College of Continuing Education commits to student success and community enrichment by providing tuition-free, accessible, equitable, and innovative quality education and support services to diverse learners in pursuit of lifelong learning, training, career advancement, and pathways to credit college. read more »