Do culinary arts programs have special requirements?

Culinary arts programs may require that students have culinary arts experience and a reference describing said experience before applying, such as the program at the Culinary Institute of America. Some programs, such as the culinary arts program at Oakland Community College, may also require the completion of a culinary skills practical exam.

Culinary arts courses, such as those at the Culinary Institute of America, require students to take a hands-on approach so that they can gain practical experience. Courses that may be required by culinary arts programs include Introduction to Gastronomy, Nutrition, Restaurant Meat Cutting, Ice Carving and Food and Wine Pairing.