Culinary arts: What is it all about?


Have you completed secondary school but are not particularly interested in academics? Do you prefer learning something more hands-on? 

Love food, cooking and being around the kitchen? Dream of creating delicious food that will tantalize taste buds around the world?

Culinary arts might be the pathway for you. We explain what this course entails as well as why it’s a course you should consider.

culinary arts
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Culinary arts meaning

Culinary refers to anything “connected to food,” whereas arts refers to any broad area of interest. Thus, this field is the art of preparing, cooking, presenting, and serving food. 

This field of study includes any career that involves preparing, cooking, and presenting food, although it is most commonly associated with restaurant meals.

A school will teach you how to create a variety of foods and beverages, ranging from Western and Asian cuisine to bread, cakes, and pastries. You’ll also learn how to operate in and run a kitchen efficiently.

Additionally, business and management disciplines such as marketing, accounting, and entrepreneurship may be included in this degree. 

These are especially essential if you wish to work in the food and beverage (F&B) or hospitality industries as a manager or open your restaurant.

what is culinary arts?
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Types of culinary arts

Here are some types that you can choose from:

  • Culinary arts: Deals with the preparation of various foods and cuisines.
  • Culinary management: Those who wish to do more than just serve delicious cuisine should get a degree in this industry. This will be perfect for you if want to manage and operate the entire operation should develop their business and management abilities, as well as their culinary knowledge
  • Pastry and baking: You will study the fundamentals of pastry making, with an emphasis on crafting sweets and baked items. Desserts are thought to be more sensitive to external influences like temperature and ingredient ratio. Therefore mastering pastry chef skills might take years.
pastry baking
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Studying Culinary Arts

This program focuses on the skills you’ll need to succeed as a food industry professional, including food safety, hospitality, baking, restaurant service, nutrition, international cuisine, wine, and drinks, among other topics. 

There are many different sorts of degrees in culinary arts available. When deciding on a culinary degree, keep your objectives, hobbies, and talents in mind.

Diploma in Culinary Arts

A diploma in culinary arts program might be an excellent way to get started in the sector. A credible diploma course will give you primary education in knife skills, culinary processes, food safety, and a certificate that will allow you to work in a variety of kitchens. 

Conduct your due diligence while obtaining a diploma from an independent school to ensure that the institution’s curriculum, instructors, and reputation are high quality.

Degree in Culinary Arts

A bachelor’s degree isn’t required to work in a kitchen, but it is required if you ever want to be in command of that kitchen or even the company that contains that kitchen. 

If you’re transferring from a diploma or associate degree program, this is your chance to specialise in a field. A degree will begin with introductory cuisine, beverage, dessert, prep, and safety classes before moving to your specialisation. 

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts have the option of focusing on anything from pastries, wine pairings, and seafood to regional culinary traditions throughout the world.

What do you learn in Culinary Arts Course?

You will learn a variety of disciplines as part of a curriculum that will help you polish your culinary abilities. 

You’ll get the information and skills necessary for a successful culinary profession, from food preparation to kitchen service and restaurant operations. 

Most colleges and culinary schools will need you to do an internship or industrial training as part of your education to obtain practical experience in the field. 

This is your moment to shine since you may be able to obtain a job before graduating. Here are some examples of subjects you’ll learn this course:

  • The Hospitality Industry
  • Culinary Essentials: Larder
  • Introduction to Patisserie
  • Culinary Essentials: Butchery
  • Garde Manger
  • Food Hygiene and Safety

What are culinary skills? 

Here is a list of some of the culinary skills you will learn in culinary school: 

  • Knife skills
  • Sauteing 
  • Roasting
  • Making stocks 
  • Creating flavourful sauces 
  • Food preparation skills 
  • Food safety

Requirements to study Culinary Arts

Each university has its own set of requirements you need to possess to get into their programs. Nevertheless, here are the requirements you need to pass to continue studying in a diploma in culinary arts program:

  • SPM / O Levels: Pass with min. 3 Credits
  • UEC: Min. 3 Credits
  • English requirement (Local): Pass (SPM / 1119 / UEC / O-Level English); MUET Band 2
  • English requirement (International): Band 4.0 in IELTS; or a min score of 30 (IBT) or 397 (PBT) in TOEFL; or score 36 and above for Pearson English Test

For a degree in culinary arts, here’s the minimum requirement you have to meet:

  • STPM : 2 Principal Passes
  •  GCE A Level: 2 Principal Passes
  •  UEC: 5 Credits
  •  Foundation/Matriculation: Pass with min. CGPA of 2.00
  •  Australian Matriculation/Foundation: ATAR Score of 55
  •  International Baccalaureate (IB) : 24 points from 6 subjects
  •  Diploma in a related field: Recognised Diploma with min. CGPA of 2.00

Duration to complete a Culinary Course in Malaysia

These programs are accessible in various formats for students, including full-time, part-time, intense training, and masterclasses. 

There will be a course in this field of study for you whether you are still a student or a working adult. The period of study in this school usually last:

  • Diploma: 1-2 years
  • Degree: 3-4 years

Why study Culinary Arts?

At its most basic level, a culinary arts school will teach you the skills and information necessary of a chef in the kitchen, including how to cook and how to create new recipes, maintain the kitchen safe, operate the kitchen effectively, and more. 

While this is crucial, you might argue that you can learn some of this by working your way up in a restaurant – to a degree, at least.

However, this study encompasses more than just being a professional chef. It helps you better your life in a variety of ways, as well as the lives of the people for whom you end up cooking.

For example, you will learn to appreciate cooking as an art form. Preparing food isn’t only about providing nutrition or assisting people in enjoying what they eat. 

You’ll learn to appreciate food as an art form if you study this program. As a consequence, you’ll put more effort into the food you prepare, and maybe get greater satisfaction from watching clients appreciate it.

Who should study Culinary Arts?

If you have the following skills and attributes, you should consider pursuing your tertiary education in culinary arts:

  • You love food and are knowledgeable about it
  • Excellent communication skills 
  • Ability to operate effectively under duress
  • Creative 
  • Strong management and organisational abilities
  • Decision-making abilities in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to collaborate and work as part of a group

Is it hard to study culinary arts? 

Culinary arts is certainly not a walk in the park, and it’s not supposed to be. It takes commitment and perseverance. But is it hard to study culinary arts? The truth is that many find the challenge exciting and fun. It’s not that difficult if you’re enthusiastic about learning!

Is Culinary Arts a good career?

Food is at the centre of so much human connection. Brunch meetings, luncheons, and dinner gatherings are all part of life. We consistently appear to be on our way to or from dinner. 

If you’re searching for a job in this sector, the fantastic news is that possibilities exist in practically various industries, such as in hotels or F&B.

A bachelor’s in culinary arts may take you practically anywhere, from event catering, kitchen management, and hospitality to nutrition consulting, cafeteria administration, and restaurant ownership.

Culinary Arts jobs

The food and beverage industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Here are some career opportunities for the food and beverage industry:

  • Chef
  • Research Chef
  • Baker or Pastry Chef
  • Restaurant Manager
  • Service Staff
  • Beverage Professionals
  • Nutritionist
  • Food Stylist or Photographer
  • Food and Beverage Writer
  • Food and Beverage Industry Instructor

Culinary Arts salary

In Malaysia, a chef makes typically around RM3,940 per month. Salaries vary from RM2,050 to RM 6,030. This is the monthly average pay, including housing, transportation, and other benefits.

Where can I study Culinary Arts?

Many excellent places offer a diploma or degree in culinary arts. First, however, you have to ensure the institution you choose can give you the proper tools and knowledge to enhance your career as a culinary practitioner.

Culinary Arts Malaysia

Food, architecture, religions, festivals, and languages represent Malaysia’s unique culture. This makes it the perfect place to study a course related to creating food.

Students at UOW Malaysia KDU are taught in specialised facilities that are designed to mimic state-of-the-art, real-world settings. 

Our hospitality and culinary arts programs ensure that graduates have the information and skills they need to work in an industry that is a rising contributor to emerging economies.

UOW Malaysia KDU is also a member of and has received recognition from the following organisations:

  • World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Recognition of Quality Culinary Education
  • Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
  • The Malaysian Food and Beverage Executives Association

Culinary course fees in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the estimated fees for a Diploma in Culinary Arts is RM50,000 for local students and RM60,000 for international students. 

Estimated fees for a Degree in Culinary Arts are can range from RM65,000 to RM85,000, while international students RM80,000 to RM95,000. 

Of course, the amount depends on the institution you choose, with more recognised culinary schools usually charging more.

Diploma in Culinary Arts

UOW Malaysia KDU University College, Utropolis Glenmarie

Key highlights

  • Dual Parchment Award
  • Award Winning Lecturers
  • Avant Garde Facilities – Kitchens, Restaurants, Culinary Theatres, Wine Lab and Equatorial Hospitality Training Suite
  • Global Outlook Through International Network

Conclusion

Education in this field is for you if you have a deep passion for food and a creative flare. We at UOW Malaysia KDU are incredibly proud of our graduates’ achievements. Our culinary school has a track record of producing some of the world’s most successful chefs, and you may be one of them. If you have any questions about the programs we offer, feel free to drop your enquiries here!

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27 January 2022

CATEGORY

Education and Career