Culinary Arts
Program Information
Trenholm State Community College’s Culinary Arts program is one of the finest culinary arts programs in the State of Alabama. Established in 1980, the program is nationally accredited by the American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission. Students enrolling in the program have the option of obtaining an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts or with an emphasis in Hospitality Management.
Our program has drawn students from several countries and states. Student opportunities include career training, job advancement, entrepreneurial skills, and personal development. The Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management program is diverse and available to meet a variety of needs.
Upon completion, students will be prepared to enter the workforce in positions such as restaurants, health care institutions, commercial foodservice operations, hotel and lodging operations, and entrepreneurial ventures.
One of our many honors was being named one of twenty-two programs recognized nationwide and internationally by the ACFFAC as an Exemplary Program.
Occupational Choices
The Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management Program prepares graduates for virtually unlimited career opportunities that include executive chef, culinary instructors/administrators, food and restaurant critic, food and beverage director, equipment chef, banquet manager/chef, sous chef, research chef, and food sales person. Culinary Arts/Food Service is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Employment of food preparation and serving related occupations is projected to grow 15 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than average for all occupations, from about 12.5 million jobs to about 13.3 million jobs. Population growth will increase demand for food preparation and serving related occupations as more people are expected to dine out in the future.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Chefs and Head Cooks,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm (visited March 03, 2023).
Average Full-Time Wage
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks was $50,160 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,910, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $84,570.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Chefs and Head Cooks,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/chefs-and-head-cooks.htm (visited March 03, 2023).
Awards Available
Associate of Applied Science
Culinary Arts
Associate of Applied Science
Culinary Arts
Hospitality Management Concentration
Certificate
Culinary Arts
Short Term Certificate
Culinary Arts
Fundamental Cook Concentration
Culinarian Concentration
Program Contact
Brittany Foster
Program Coordinator
334-420-4424
Location: 8 Commerce Street
As part of ongoing planning and evaluation, the College regularly evaluates student learning outcomes for each program.
Estimated Program Length & Cost *
| Award | Length | Credit Hours | Tuition/Fees | Books | Tools | Supplies |
| Associate Degrees | 6 Terms | 67 | $10,921 | $1,000 | $500 | $200 |
| Certificate | 6 Terms | 54 | $8,802 | $1,000 | $500 | $200 |
| Short Term Certificate | 2 Terms | 11 | $1,793 | $1,000 | $500 | $200 |
| Short Term Certificate | 3 Terms | 28 | $4,564 | $1,000 | $500 | $200 |
* Tax not included. Prices are subject to change without prior notice; cost of books may vary considerably among suppliers. Cost of general education books is in addition to the total listed above. The length of the program is based on full-time status of 12-15 credit hours per term. Enrollment in transitional level general education courses will alter the length of the program.