Think about the last time you went out to eat. Chances are you opted for something out of the ordinary, something a little more exotic. That’s not surprising considering that many diners are looking for international culinary experiences. Centennial College’s International Culinary Management program option brings a global perspective to traditional culinary management by teaching students culinary techniques, sanitation practices and management strategies.

The offering takes two years to complete and during the time students are in the program, they are based at Progress Campus. This location is home to cutting edge culinary and baking labs, which enhance learning by allowing for hands-on application of theory. Additionally, as students through exposure to the unique relationship between cuisine culture, and religion become comfortable with managing diversity in the workplace, they have the opportunity to complete a field placement.

Here is a closer look at some of the courses that put students on the pathway that allows them to achieve success by addressing the need for cooks and chefs with a diversified portfolio of international cuisines (as identified by Ontario Job Futures).

Cuisine and Culture (Theory): Students learn how food shapes societies and cultural practices by covering the actual preparation, consumption, and food customs from different parts of the world. As a hands-on component, students complete a research project on a specific cuisine and culture.

Principles of Food, Beverage & Labour Cost Controls: The role of the restaurant or food and beverage outlet manager is to manage operations, the expectations of customers and the employees. This course teaches students management practices such as: predetermining food, beverage and labour costs; application of the control process to the primary phases of restaurant operations (purchasing, receiving, storing, issuing and production); and menu analysis and engineering. It also explores the factors affecting labour cost, performance standards, monitoring performance and taking corrective action.

Restaurant Practicum: Kitchen/Dining Room: Students apply skills they have learned in an operating kitchen and restaurant. To ensure they are gaining an all-around experience, students rotate to different sections of the kitchen, which also allows for understanding of the brigade system.

Sustainable Food System Practices: With society increasingly becoming aware of green practices, students learn everything from composting, recycling and energy-conservation programs to sourcing locally grown, organic ingredients.

Cuisines of Europe/Mediterranean and Middle Eastern/South Asia/ the Americas/ South-East Asia: These five courses are offered throughout the program and teach students about the actual preparation, consumption, and customs of food from each area of the world. In a lab setting, they are also introduced to methods of cooking applications, tools, utensils, common ingredients, seasonings, flavour builders and combinations.

After completing each Culinary Management course, students will have developed specialty well suited to the cruise ship industry and the all-inclusive resorts, both of which offer many types of diverse cuisines as part of the dining experience.