Culinary Arts

Culinary students prepare entrees in kitchen classroom.

The Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts at Nashville State will prepare you for a career as a chef or culinary professional in the dynamic cooking and baking industry. Learn to prepare casual and upscale cuisine for full-service, buffet, banquet, a la carte, and bakery operations. Develop the skills to run a successful kitchen to the business side of purchasing, cost control, sanitation, nutrition, and supervision. Earn your Culinary Arts A.A.S. or certificate and make your mark in this competitive, fun, and creative field.

Technical Certificate

Nashville State's Culinary Arts Technical Certificate will prepare you for the job market in a variety of food preparation facilities such as restaurants, hotels, and bakeshops. Courses will provide the fundamental skills in food preparation, cooking, and baking required for successful careers as chefs and culinary professionals.

Length

One year

COSTS

About $4,726 total in tuition and fees.

In addition to tuition and fees, you will be responsible for purchasing your own tools (such as knives) and appropriate chef's clothing for the food production kitchen. Other expenses may also be incurred, including ingredients needed to prepare recipes for projects or homework assigned outside of class.

More About Costs

COURSE LIST

Catalog

Advising Sheet

After Nashville State

After graduation, you will be prepared for the workforce. Find a career in a restaurant, hotel, or bakery. Ask Career Services for help.

More About Careers

Campus Availability: The majority of Culinary Arts courses are only offered on our Southeast campus, however some may be available online. To check current course offerings check class schedule.

Associate of Applied Science

aas

This program includes a core of culinary arts courses which develop cooking and baking skills and also provide instruction on the hugely important side of the culinary business – the business side itself. You will have the opportunity to apply and practice skills acquired in a real-world environment. In addition, you'll receive a well-rounded academic experience including business, computer, and liberal arts courses to head into the workforce as a creative thinker and problem solver.

Length

Two years

COSTS

About $9,490 total in tuition and fees.

In addition to tuition and fees you will be responsible for purchasing your own tools (such as knives) and appropriate chef's clothing for the food production kitchen. Other expenses may also be incurred, including ingredients needed to prepare recipes for projects or homework assigned outside of class.

More About Costs

COURSE LIST

Catalog

Advising Sheet

After Nashville State

Jump into a career as a chef, a kitchen manager, food service director, and so much more. Ask Career Services for help as you begin your career.

More About Careers

Campus Availability: The majority of Culinary Arts courses are only offered on our Southeast campus, however some may be available online. Gen ed courses are available on all campuses and online. To check current course offerings check class schedule.

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How to Apply

Preparing You for the Workforce

Chef Max Knoepfel

Executive Chef of Music City Center

The Culinary Arts program at Nashville State is preparing students for Nashville's growing culinary and hospitality industries. Students graduate with a solid and professional foundation, ready to enter the workforce. I highly recommend Nashville State to anyone who wants to develop their career.

Chef Max Knoepfel has a distinguished career in the culinary arts industry as the Executive Chef at the Music City Center, Westchester Country Club, and Belle Haven Country Club. He knows what to look for in a culinary school and in a person to determine if they'll be successful.

From Nashville State to TV Competition Winner

Budding chef and culinary student Marcio Florez won the San Pellegrino® Almost Famous Chef® South Regional Competition sponsored by San Pellegrino® in Dallas, Texas. Florez, with four other culinary student finalists, now advances to the final competition in Napa Valley, California. Marcio's winning dish was titled "Meat and Three," a combination of Southern and Peruvian flavors.

Career Outlook

An ACFCHEF Accredited Program

The Culinary Arts A.A.S. degree program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. This nationally and locally recognized foundation knows that Nashville State Culinary Arts program prepares our students for success.

ACFCHEF

Our Culinary Partnerships

We are proud to partner with local and national companies. Consider these companies as potential employers and businesses that believe in a Nashville State culinary degree.

Credit for What You Know

You may be eligible to earn college credit based on the experience you already have. This experience could come from your job, the military, and more.

CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE