CULINARY ACADEMY
College credits earned: 5.0
Certification opportunities: ServSafe Certification sponsored by
the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Why College Credit in High School?
… Find your passion
… Get a head start
… Experience college-level expectations
with rock star teachers
… Earn free college credit
… Why not!
Experience
Experience a sampling of the culinary field by learning
introductory concepts and course work. Students will
see that the culinary industry is much more than just
cooking!
Outcome
Students learn introductory concepts of food safety,
nutrition and menu planning.
Completion of academy fulfills two course
requirements for Kirkwood’s Restaurant Management
and Culinary Arts programs.
Career Focus
Immediate entry-level employment opportunities
within the food service industry.
Determine if you are interested and prepared for a
career in the hospitality industry.
The Kirkwood Culinary Academy provides students with a jump
start to earning an associates, bachelors and/or graduate degree.
Examples of college majors include, but not limited to: Bakery
Certificate, Culinary Arts, Hotel Management, and Restaurant
Management. If you’re planning to transfer to a four-year
college or university after attending Kirkwood, specific transfer
information can be found at the following link:
www.kirkwood.edu/fouryeartransfer
Iowa Average Salaries in Culinary/Food Service Careers
Chefs/Catering: $36, 350
Supervisor of Food Prep & Service Staff: $29,830
Food Service/Restaurant Managers: $45,430
Food Prep Workers: $20,210
Pastry Chef/Baker: $24,210
More info can be found at www.bls.gov
College credit courses included in this academy experience:
HCM-100 Sanitation and Safety
2 college credits
Studies basic principles of bacteriology, food borne illness,
sanitation, workplace safety, personal hygiene, food security,
health regulations and inspections. Emphasizes the importance
of sanitary equipment and facilities, and pest control. Students
must complete the National Restaurant Association Educational
Foundation certification exam to pass this course.
HCM-227 Menu Planning
1 college credit
Studies the principles of menu marketing and management.
Students write and analyze menus for various population groups,
types of food service facilities and service styles, then design
a menu cover. Upon successful completion of a national test,
students are certified by the National Restaurant Association
Educational Foundation.
HCM-231 Nutrition
2 college credits
Reviews basic nutritional concepts in relation to current health
concerns and the food service industry. Includes practice in
recipe and menu modification to improve nutrition. Upon
successful completion of a national test, students are certified by
the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Need to Know …
• This academy experience is currently available to students with
a Kirkwood certified and trained Family Consumer Science
instructor within the high school.
• Students enrolled will receive credit from their high school and
college credit from Kirkwood. The college tuition is paid for by
the high school district.
• The grade earned in this course will be reflected on the
student’s official college transcript. Students not planning to
attend Kirkwood after high school graduation should plan to
include this transcript as part of your application process to
other colleges or universities. www.kirkwood.edu/transcript
• As part of earning college credit for this academy, students
must complete an online application to Kirkwood Community
College, and must provide a social security number as part
of the secure online college application process to create the
official student record.
Program Details
• Course offerings vary by location.
• Check with your guidance counselor to see if the Culinary
Academy is at a location near you.
How to Get Started
• Talk to your parents and guidance counselor.
• Go to www.kirkwood.edu/apply and click on “Earn Credit in
High School.”
KIRKWOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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