Culinary Arts Program

The culinary arts program at Community College of Allegheny County prepares students for a career as an executive chef, restaurateur, food and beverage manager, food writer, research chef, or a culinary educator. The program focuses on cooking related services in restaurants and other commercial food establishments. Program courses include: recipe and menu planning, preparing and cooking foods, supervising and training kitchen assistants, managing food supplies and kitchen resources, food presentation, and a variety of cuisines and culinary techniques. Get more details below including other Pennsylvania colleges that offer culinary arts program.

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Community College of Allegheny County

50 West Powhattan Avenue, Essington, PA

Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) is comprised of several college campuses and learning centers that are located throughout the Pittsburgh area of Pennsylvania. CCAC offers more than 170 programs in career certificates and vocational training, associate degrees, and a range of college transfer studies. The four CCAC college campuses and six learning centers in different communities offer flexible scheduling and many online courses.

The college transfer programs at CCAC are very successful, with thousands of CCAC students transferring each year to the college of their choice. Many of the career training programs at CCAC can be completed in six months or less, including the fast-growing "green" jobs. Academic programs cover everything from nursing to social sciences and information technology.

CCAC has developed its workforce training division into a top-notch, sales-oriented enterprise that works with the regions employers and economic development officials. The Center for Professional Development is now a trainer of choice in southwestern Pennsylvania for:

• Corporate & Agency Training
• Professional Continuing Education
• Public Safety
• Federal, State, County and Local Agency Training

History

CCAC was founded in 1966 with an initial enrollment of just over 1,500 students. In 1966 there were two campuses - the campus on Pittsburgh's North Side and a suburban campus at Boyce Campus in Monroeville.  South Campus was established in 1967, and moved its present complex in West Mifflin in 1973.  North Campus was established in 1972 and moved to its permanent location in McCandless in 1990.

Six centers were created as satellite learning centers for the four main campuses beginning in 2001.

Academics

The academic calendar for CCAC follows the semester format, with fall, spring and summer semesters. Online classes are also available, which may allow for some non-traditional enrollment periods throughout the year.

Colleges and Schools

The academic units for CCAC are organized into departments, divisions and centers.

Student Life

CCAC offers its students more than 100 clubs and organizations to become involved in beyond the classroom. Additional opportunities for involvement on campus include several honor societies, intramural sports, cultural events, student government, and four different student-run newspapers: the Allegheny View, Boyce Collegian, North Voice and South Forum.

There are many student services available on CCAC campuses, including career planning, counseling and support services. Career fairs and job events are hosted throughout the year, and childcare centers allow students with children to attend classes throughout the school year.

Traditions

The traditional school colors for CCAC are red and white. The school mascot is a cougar, and the athletic teams are nicknamed the Allegheny "Cougars."

Athletics

The Allegheny Campus of the Community College of Allegheny County has four collegiate sports teams. These teams include men's and women's basketball, bowling, golf and cross country. Allegheny students seeking more information about any of these teams should contact the Athletic Office at: (412) 237-2503.

The other campuses in the community college district have other sports available. Students should contact the campus of their choice for more information.

Satellite Campuses

The Community College of Allegheny County has four campuses and six centers in the Pittsburgh area.

• Allegheny Campus
• Boyce Campus
• North Campus
• South Campus 

Additionally, CCAC currently has six centers located throughout Allegheny and Washington Counties.

• Bethel Park Center
• Braddock Hills Center
• Downtown Center
• Homewood-Brushton Center
• Washington County Center
• West Hills Center

Community Life

CCAC offers community education programs through non-credit, fee-based classes. Classes and programs include workforce training and personal enrichment courses in a range of areas including foreign languages, fitness and health, business, computer technology, cooking, music and dance. Community classes are available to adults and children.

The Green Institute at CCAC is run as a community initiative with a goal of operating as a partner and trainer of choice to businesses in the area who have joined the "green" movement. Programs in the CCAC Green Institute focus on five environmentally-friendly areas: consumer education, credit programs leading to green jobs, practical training, a speakers' bureau, and kid's programs.

More than 90% of CCAC graduates choose to live and work in the local region. Additionally, the affordability and accessibility of CCAC has enabled more than 40% of its students to attend college.

Students Enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Community College of Allegheny County has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Chefs and Head Cooks

Description

Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, chefs and head cooks employment is expected to grow at a rate of 8.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 280
  • Average Hourly Rate: $26.70
  • Average Annual Salary: $55540
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 630
  • Average Hourly Rate: $26.96
  • Average Annual Salary: $56080
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 260
  • Average Hourly Rate: $23.47
  • Average Annual Salary: $48810

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Description

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

Cooks, Private Household

Description

Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.

Cooks, Restaurant

Description

Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, cooks, restaurant employment is expected to grow at a rate of 14.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Camden, NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $12.48
  • Average Annual Salary: $25950
• Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 5
  • Average Hourly Rate: $12.29
  • Average Annual Salary: $25560
• Wilmington, DE-MD-NJ Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $12.08
  • Average Annual Salary: $25130

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).