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Culinary students preparing pastries and food. Culinary student presenting finished dessert cups.

Culinary and Hospitality

Cook. Bake. Create. Salivate.

About this Guided Pathway

Learn the skills required to succeed in this exciting industry from the best local culinary, baking and pastry chefs. From the safe handling of food, beverages and equipment to applying basic principles, identifying basic ingredients and communicating effectively, graduates have gone on to run hotel casino restaurants, appear on reality television cooking competitions, own and run their own businesses and more.

Apply Now  Schedule a Tour  Learn More About the Academy of Culinary Arts

Is This the Pathway For You?

Career Pathways

Our region boasts a wide variety of career opportunities with competitive salaries in the Culinary & Hospitality Industry. The labor market, employer information and salary data are based on estimates within the Greater Philadelphia Region.


Salary information presented are estimates and can be different for each individual based on education, experience and the specific employer. Labor market data is based on 2024 estimates from Lightcast.

Culinary

Discover the Programs in This Guided Pathway

Whether your goal is to pursue a career following graduation or to earn a bachelor's degree at a four-year college or university, Atlantic Cape offers numerous degree programs that will help you achieve your dreams. Explore your options below.

Workforce-Ready Degree Programs

The degree programs below are designed to prepare you for a position in your desired field. 

Programs Designed for Immediate Employment

Earn credits toward your degree with a certificate program or take a professional series to learn entry-level job skills.

Short-term career training available

Our apprenticeship-ready programs teach you the skills you need to jump right into the workforce in only a couple short months.

Student Testimonial

Grace Carpenter
Class of 2025 - A.A.S. Culinary Arts w/Baking & Pastry option

“At Atlantic Cape I truly found my passion in culinary and now it’s something that I enjoy so much that I can’t wait to do it for the rest of my life. There are so many opportunities for culinary students to succeed at Atlantic Cape.”

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Grace Carpenter headshot

Want to Take Your Education to the Next Level?

Many of our graduates move on to transfer to four-year colleges and universities to successfully earn a bachelor’s degree and beyond.

Atlantic Cape has partnered with more than 25 universities to provide a seamless transfer experience including 3+1 agreements with select institutions. You can even earn your degree right on our Mays Landing campus with our Rutgers at Atlantic Cape Premier Partnership.

Transfer Information & Partnerships

Need Help?

Meet with our trained Student Services Specialists to talk about your career goals and pick the program that meets your unique goals and needs.

 

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Atlantic Cape does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. We ensure that limited English skills are not a barrier to CTE program access. Learn more on our Equal Opportunity webpage.

Español:
Atlantic Cape no discrimina por raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o discapacidad. Garantizamos que el dominio limitado del inglés no impida el acceso a programas técnicos. Obtenga más información en nuestra página web de Igualdad de Oportunidades.

Registration Now Open!

Don’t wait. Classes start every couple of weeks and seats go fast. Register now to lock in the classes you want, on the schedule that works for you. With flexible options, you can earn credits in as little as six weeks.

Our knowledgeable staff can help with registration, advising, financial aid, and more at any One-Stop Welcome Center location.

Your Tuition Could Be Free

Your money matters!  Atlantic Cape is the smart and affordable way to earn your degree. Our tuition is 65% less than the typical 4-year NJ public college. You could save even more with financial aid, scholarships and grant programs. 

See if you qualify for the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG)

Financial Aid & Scholarship Info

Credit or Noncredit? Choose What Works for You

Associate Degree: 60 credits, about 2 years — great for transfer or career start.

Certificate: 30+ credits, about 1 year — workforce-ready or degree-bound.

Professional Series: 12–18 credits, 1–2 semesters — targeted, stackable training.

Workforce Training: Noncredit, 3–12 months — quick skills for real-world jobs.