Culinary Studies

EMCC offers an Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) degree program in Culinary Studies as well as a Baking and Pastry Certificate.  Students are provided with a broad expanse of culinary arts that includes culinary theory and hospitality courses, as well as over 500 hours of lab work in our fully equipped, hands-on kitchen.  Students are required to purchase knives and uniforms for these programs.

In addition to courses in restaurant management, food cost systems and sanitation, students will gain hands-on experience in a variety of lab-based courses.  The majority of the lab production is served in our on-campus restaurant, Regions.  Students will be exposed to American and International Cuisine, baking and pastry arts, as well as catering and banquets.

The entire Culinary Studies A.A.S. can be transferred into Northern Arizona University’s Bachelor of Hotel and Restaurant Management.  In addition, our general education credits are fully transferable to many four year colleges and universities throughout the region. 

The Baking and Pastry Certificate at the Culinary Studies Program of Estrella Mountain Community College offers quality instruction, hands-on training, and competitive tuition. Our mission is to provide a well-rounded education that will give students the skills and experience needed to obtain a position in a professional kitchen, at a fraction of the cost of other Arizona programs.

With classes offered in Commercial Baking, Specialty Breads, Breakfast Pastry, Wedding Cakes, Classical Desserts, Advanced Pastry, and Bakery Retail Operations, students will receive a well-rounded education that will prepare them for a job in the baking and pastry industry.  Graduates of the Baking and Pastry Certificate Program are prepared for entry level positions in the kitchens of restaurants, hotels, and catering operations.  Successful experience in these areas can lead the graduate into management positions of pastry chef, executive pastry chef, bakery owner, and instructor.

Why Culinary Studies @ EMCC?

Our mission is to provide a well rounded culinary education that will give students the skills and experience needed to obtain a position in a professional kitchen, at a fraction of the cost of other programs.

Culinary Studies will prepare students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to work in various food industries, including restaurants, catering, hospitality and tourism. Some students may even aspire to own and operate their own restaurant or food business.