Culinary Arts AAS-T

Program Details Page Culinary Arts AAS-T

Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Culinary Arts AAS-T degree! This page is designed to give an overview of what the quarter will look like based on the starting point in the year. Click on one of the desired tabs below to view the course schedule. This information may be subject to change at any time without notice, please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses.

Did you take Culinary Arts classes in high school? You may be eligible for dual credit if you earned a "C" in your classes and it has been less than two years since you graduated from high school. Learn more on our CTE Dual Credit website.

You also may be interested in the program map for the Culinary Arts Certificate and AAS Degree.

Bookstore Information

a picture of an open bookInformation regarding the materials can be found at the RTC bookstore Links to an external site.. Just fill in the course information and you will be set!

The bookstore has what you need in regards to materials so be sure to check it out! It is always better to be prepared than to wait last second to buy your materials!

General Overview

When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), and Spring (April)

length of the program icon How long is the program? 6 quarters (up to 22 months) with 99 credits

When do classes meet? 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Are summer classes required? No. The culinary program does not have summer classes, but you may choose to complete some academic or General Education classes over the summer.

You can prepare for a career in the hospitality industry as a chef or cook, working in an industry kitchen and serving customers in campus dining areas. You learn knife skills, kitchen safety, cooking methodologies, garde manger techniques, and more. The Culinary Arts certificate program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC). When you complete your AAS-T degree and join the American Culinary Federation, you can become a Certified Culinarian!

What does a chef or head cook do?

What is the average salary?

$63,540 annually in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most chefs or head cooks earn at least $44,720; there is a wide salary range.

Who can I contact for questions?

 (Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

  1. Food Handler's Permit Links to an external site. (needed within the first two weeks of joining the program. Initial cost is $10, and renewal is also $10)
  2. Comfortable clothing and close-toed shoes
  3. Padlock for lockers
  4. Textbooks and software ($440)
  5. Chef Uniform & knife set

Minimum grades needed

You must pass each class with a grade of 1.0 or higher. You also must have a cumulative or overall GPA of 2.0 or higher to complete your Culinary Arts certificate or AAS degree.

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

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Fall

Quarter 1

Fall Start

[Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,957
Description: This quarter introduces you to the foundations of cooking. You will learn kitchen safety, basic knife use, and different breakfast recipes. Students will also learn how to manage dining rooms.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
BAK 130 Bakery Basics NO 3
CUL 103 Knife Skills YES 3
CUL 105 Foundations YES 3
CUL 118 Breakfast Cookery NO 3
CUL 120 Purchasing and Receiving NO 3
CUL 131 Dining Room/Beverage Management NO 3

Quarter 2

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $3,460

Description: You improve your culinary fundamentals, cook dishes using moist and dry heat, and create different salads and dressings. In Boucher, you prepare meats including poultry, pork, fish, lamb, and shellfish. You also learn to make the five "mother sauces" (béchamel, espagnole, velouté, tomato, and hollandaise sauce) and a variety of soups. Finally, you will take a general education mathematics class to prepare you for your transfer math requirement if needed (learn more about math placement). If you have a transfer math class already, please talk with your adviser about alternate classes.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 104 Boucher NO 3
CUL 110
Fundamentals I NO 3
CUL 111
Fundamentals II NO 3
CUL 114
Salad Bar NO 3
CUL 115 Deli NO 3
CUL 132 Soup and Sauce NO 3
AMATH 190 Financial Algebra NO 5

Quarter 3

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $3,201

Description: You get to experiment with American regional and international cuisines and explore the role of the entremetier, who cooks vegetables, starches, and pastas. You also learn about nutrition and conflict management for kitchen supervisors.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 106
Nutrition NO 3
CUL 112
Fundamentals III NO 3
CUL 123 Entremetier NO 3
CUL 124 Fry Station NO 3
CUL 125 Saute Station NO 3
CUL 128 Pantry NO 3
CUL 180 Human Relations Management NO 3

Quarter 4

[Fall] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,400

Description: You practice garde manger (preparation of cold foods) and learn how to make brined, rubbed, smoked, and roasted meats. You also have three management classes with increasing levels of responsibility.
It's time to apply for your certificate! You earn your Certificate of Completion this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 113 Lead I NO 3
CUL 133
Garde Manger NO 3
CUL 126
Broiler Station NO 3
CUL 127 Lead II NO 3
CUL 130 Sous Chef NO 3

Quarter 5

[Winter] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436
Description: You complete 2 of 4 general education classes for your AAS-T degree. These include transfer mathematics and any general education elective. Recommendations are included below.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
MATH& 107 Math in Society (recommended) NO 5
HUM& 101 Introduction to Humanities (recommended) or another general education class NO 5

Quarter 6

[Spring] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436
Description: You finish your general education requirements with English and your choice of a social science class (see recommendation below). What are your placement options for ENGL&101?
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ENGL& 101 English Composition varies by class 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology (recommended) or another social science class  YES 5

Total Estimated Cost for Your AAS-T Degree: $15,315

Winter

Quarter 1

Winter Start

[Winter] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,957

Description: This quarter introduces you to the foundations of cooking. You will learn kitchen safety, basic knife use, and different breakfast recipes. Students will also learn how to manage dining rooms.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
BAK 130 Bakery Basics NO 3
CUL 103 Knife Skills YES 3
CUL 105 Foundations YES 3
CUL 118 Breakfast Cookery NO 3
CUL 120 Purchasing and Receiving NO 3
CUL 131 Dining Room/Beverage Management NO 3

Quarter 2

[Spring] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,701

Description: You improve your culinary fundamentals, cook dishes using moist and dry heat, and create different salads and dressings. You also learn to make the five "mother sauces" (béchamel, espagnole, velouté, tomato, and hollandaise sauce) and a variety of soups. Finally, you will take a general education mathematics class to prepare you for your transfer math requirement (learn more about math placement). If you have a transfer math class already, please talk with your adviser about alternate classes.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 110
Fundamentals I NO 3
CUL 111
Fundamentals II NO 3
CUL 114
Salad Bar NO 3
CUL 115 Deli NO 3
CUL 132 Soup and Sauce NO 3
CUL 180 Human Relations Management NO 3

Quarter 3

[Fall] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $3,360

Description: You get to experiment with American regional and international cuisines and explore the role of the entremetier, who cooks vegetables, starches, and pastas. You also learn about nutrition and conflict management for kitchen supervisors.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 106
Nutrition NO 3
CUL 112
Fundamentals III NO 3
CUL 123
Entremetier NO 3
CUL 124 Fry Station NO 3
CUL 125 Saute Station NO 3
CUL 128 Pantry NO 3
AMATH 190 Financial Algebra NO 5

Quarter 4

[Winter] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,851

Description: In Boucher, you prepare meats including poultry, pork, fish, lamb, and shellfish. You practice garde manger (preparation of cold foods) and learn how to make brined, rubbed, smoked, and roasted meats. You also have three management classes with increasing levels of responsibility.
It's time to apply for your certificate! You earn your Certificate of Completion this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 104
Boucher NO 3
CUL 113 Lead I NO 3
CUL 133
Garde Manger NO 3
CUL 126
Broiler Station NO 3
CUL 127 Lead II NO 3
CUL 130 Sous Chef NO 3

Quarter 5

[Spring] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436
Description: You complete 2 of 4 general education classes for your AAS-T degree. These include transfer mathematics and any general education elective. Recommendations are included below.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
MATH& 107 Math in Society (recommended) NO 5
HUM& 101 Introduction to Humanities (recommended) or another general education class NO 5

Quarter 6

[Fall] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436
Description: You finish your general education requirements with English and your choice of a social science class (see recommendation below). What are your placement options for ENGL&101?
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ENGL& 101 English Composition varies by class 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology (recommended) or another social science class  YES 5

Total Estimated Cost for Your AAS-T Degree: $15,166

Spring

Quarter 1

Spring Start

[Spring] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,957

Description: This quarter introduces you to the foundations of cooking. You will learn kitchen safety, basic knife use, and different breakfast recipes. Students will also learn how to manage dining rooms.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
BAK 130 Bakery Basics NO 3
CUL 103 Knife Skills YES 3
CUL 105 Foundations YES 3
CUL 118 Breakfast Cookery NO 3
CUL 120 Purchasing and Receiving NO 3
CUL 131 Dining Room/Beverage Management NO 3

Quarter 2

[Fall] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,860

Description: You improve your culinary fundamentals, cook dishes using moist and dry heat, and create different salads and dressings. You also learn to make the five "mother sauces" (béchamel, espagnole, velouté, tomato, and hollandaise sauce) and a variety of soups. Finally, you will take a general education mathematics class to prepare you for your transfer math requirement (learn more about math placement). If you have a transfer math class already, please talk with your adviser about alternate classes.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 110
Fundamentals I NO 3
CUL 111
Fundamentals II NO 3
CUL 114
Salad Bar NO 3
CUL 115 Deli NO 3
CUL 132 Soup and Sauce NO 3
AMATH 190 Financial Algebra
or more advanced math class
NO 5

Quarter 3

[Winter] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $3,306

Description: In Boucher, you prepare meats including poultry, pork, fish, lamb, and shellfish. You learn about nutrition, experiment with American regional and international cuisines, and explore the role of the entremetier, who cooks vegetables, starches, and pastas.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 104
Boucher NO 3
CUL 106
Nutrition NO 3
CUL 112
Fundamentals III NO 3
CUL 123 Entremetier NO 3
CUL 124 Fry Station NO 3
CUL 125 Saute Station NO 3
CUL 128 Pantry NO 3

Quarter 4

[Spring] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $2,746

Description: You practice garde manger (preparation of cold foods) and learn how to make brined, rubbed, smoked, and roasted meats. You also have three management classes with increasing levels of responsibility.
It's time to apply for your certificate! You earn your Certificate of Completion this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CUL 113 Lead I NO 3
CUL 133
Garde Manger NO 3
CUL 126
Broiler Station NO 3
CUL 127 Lead II NO 3
CUL 130 Sous Chef NO 3
CUL 180 Human Relations Management NO 3

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436
Description: You complete 2 of 4 general education classes for your AAS-T degree. These include transfer mathematics and any general education elective. Recommendations are included below.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
MATH& 107 Math in Society (recommended) NO 5
HUM& 101 Introduction to Humanities (recommended) or another general education class NO 5

Quarter 6

[Winter] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436
Description: You finish your general education requirements with English and your choice of a social science class (see recommendation below). What are your placement options for ENGL&101?
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ENGL& 101 English Composition varies by class 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology (recommended) or another social science class  YES 5

Total Estimated Cost for Your AAS-T Degree: $15,166

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