Culinary Arts

The restaurant and foodservice industry is one of the fastest growing occupational sectors with a need for well-trained and skilled professionals. The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts blends professional and technical courses in the culinary arts with general academic courses that provide graduates with the technical knowledge and hands on skills needed to be successful in the foodservice industry. The required internship provides students with the opportunity to apply and put into practice what they are learning in a real-time setting and to gain insight into their chosen field.

Occupational Objectives: Career opportunities in the restaurant and foodservice industry include: chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs, personal chefs and line cooks at casual and fine dining restaurants as well as hotels, resorts and country clubs. The Associate of Applied Science Degree prepares students for immediate employment upon graduation.

Graduation Requirement

Students entering the Culinary Arts degree program are required to take one Writing Intensive Course in order to graduate. The Writing Intensive Course for this program is either HRI 206 or HRS 207, and has a prerequisite of ENG 111 and ENG 112. Students who are awarded transfer academic credit for this course at another institution may fulfill the Writing Intensive Course (WIC) requirement for this program by completing another Writing Intensive Course (WIC).

Electives

Students may substitute a higher-level math course for HRI 154. Students take one three-credit  technical elective from the following approved list: BUS 116, HRI 205, HRI 280, HRI 281.

Financial Requirements 

In addition to regular college tuition and fees, the Culinary Arts AAS degree requires the following:

Required Uniform and Tool Kits 

Students enrolled in HRI laboratory courses must wear the approved uniform and bring the  approved tool kit to class. Specifications will be presented at orientation sessions.  All required items are available through the campus bookstore, where financial aid may be used to assist with purchases.

Orientation

Attendance at an information session is required for entry into the Culinary Arts program. Sessions will be held in-person or can be scheduled virtually, via Zoom.  To participate in a Zoom meeting please contact Sarah Labensky. In-person information sessions will be held in room J112 at the Jefferson School City Center located at 233 4th St. NW, Charlottesville, VA  22903 on the dates listed below, and must be reserved in advance.  

Each session will be limited to 10 people. You should register for one of the sessions through the link below. Please include your phone number and identify the number of individuals who will be in attendance with you.    

Upcoming 2021 Information Sessions

Information sessions last about 90 minutes and will cover class descriptions, success tips, student materials and supplies, and a tour of the kitchens. We suggest that you complete your PVCC student and FAFSA applications in advance of the session, however, there is no obligation to apply. If possible, please bring your unofficial transcripts with you to the information session if you have attended another college.  

Please fill out the Culinary Arts Orientation Session Form to reserve your spot for one of the dates below. Due to space limitations, you may only bring one additional person with you, such as a parent or spouse, however, we ask that you please do not bring any children. If you need to reschedule or cancel, please notify the Advising Center at admissions@pvcc.edu.

• June 4, 4-6pm
• June 5, 10am-noon
• June 7, 6-8pm
• August 12, 4-6pm
• August 14, 10am-noon

Current plans are for all courses in the curriculum to be held in person and on campus for the fall semester. For additional information, please contact Sarah Labensky.