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Gourmet Cooking and Catering Program

Learn practical skills in our online Gourmet Cooking and Catering program to become a chef or start your own catering business. Graduate knowing how to prepare delicious dishes for all occasions, serve gourmet fare, create healthy, balanced menus, and manage catered events.

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Orientation: Learning at Ashworth

Orientation: Learning at Ashworth 

In this course, you’ll examine the goals and values of Ashworth College, time management, creating a realistic weekly and monthly study schedule, the nature and purpose of assessments, how to study effectively to prepare for and take an online examination, and developing the skill sets necessary for success in the twenty-first century.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner.

Lesson Group 1: Introduction to Catering

Lesson Group 1: Introduction to Catering 

In this course, you’ll learn about resources for caterers, starting your catering business, and marketing your catering business.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Explain the training, business, and marketing considerations required to open a catering business.

Lesson Group 2: Dynamics of Catering

Lesson Group 2: Dynamics of Catering 

In this course, you’ll learn about various aspects of catering. You’ll learn about the history of catering, the personnel and equipment requirements for catering, and how to cater different types of events. You’ll also learn how to present and serve foods when catering, including making garnishes for various types of dishes. Finally, you’ll learn how to prepare and serve alcoholic beverages.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Define service, management, and etiquette as they relate to operating a catering business.
  • Explain how to prepare dishes for specific events and how to decorate dishes.
  • Describe the properties and characteristics of various types of alcoholic beverages.

Lesson Group 3: The Culinary Professional

Lesson Group 3: The Culinary Professional 

In this course, you’ll learn about the food service industry and the gourmet kitchen. You’ll learn about job opportunities available to those trained in food service, the type of equipment used in the kitchen, how to prepare specific quantities of food, and how to present gourmet food.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Describe career opportunities, nutrients, and food safety as a culinary arts professional.
  • Define types of recipes, menus, and the best equipment to use.
  • Describe the art of food presentation and the design of a gourmet kitchen.

Lesson Group 4: Cooking Basics

Lesson Group 4: Cooking Basics 

In this course, you’ll be introduced to the classical elements of flavor and texture. It’s essential to follow the instructions of a new recipe. If you don’t — particularly with delicate sauces and soups — you may never achieve your desired result. However, after you’ve made a sauce, stock, or soup several times successfully, leave yourself open to the moments of inspiration that come with true mastery.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Define the foundation, thickening agents, and varieties of stocks and sauces.
  • Describe the different textures, garnishes, and flavor foundations of soups.
  • Identify the basics of fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
  • Describe cooking methods for fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Lesson Group 5: Meat

Lesson Group 5: Meat 

This course will help you prepare and cook meat. You’ll be introduced to applying cooking methods to poultry, game, and fish.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Define the basics and cooking methods for beef and veal.
  • Define the basics and cooking methods for lamb and pork.

Lesson Group 6: Poultry and Game

Lesson Group 6: Poultry and Game 

This course will teach you how to add variety to your diet by preparing different cuts of poultry and cooking it using various methods. You’ll prepare a chicken breast stuffed with cheese, olives, and herbs.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Define the basics of poultry and game, including cuts and trussing.
  • Describe the cooking methods for poultry and game, including roasting, deep poaching, sautéing, and preparation.

Lesson Group 7: Fish and Shellfish

Lesson Group 7: Fish and Shellfish 

In this course, you’ll learn to take advantage of the wealth of available fish and shellfish by experimenting with the preparation techniques to create light, healthful fish and shellfish dishes. You’ll prepare a whole striped sea bass stuffed with herbs.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Define the basics of fish and shellfish, including purchasing and freshness.
  • Describe the cooking methods for fish and shellfish, including submersion and deep-frying.

Lesson Group 8: Grains, Legumes, and Pasta

Lesson Group 8: Grains, Legumes, and Pasta 

This course will familiarize you with the many flavors and textures of legumes, grains, and pasta. You’ll cook sesame shiitake noodles, a delicious, robust dish with garlic, ginger, and shiitake mushrooms. You’ll learn about the right grater to use and the different types of ginger.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Demonstrate job-specific technical and professional skills.
  • Discuss different types of grains and their health benefits.
  • Discuss the various legume types and their process of cooking.
  • Identify different types of pasta.

Lesson Group 9: Baking and Pastry

Lesson Group 9: Baking and Pastry 

This course will teach you how to create delicious baked goods. You’ll create a delicious phyllo pear tart with a beautiful presentation and pair it with dessert wine.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Demonstrate a basic knowledge of baking bread.
  • Demonstrate the techniques of baking pastries.

Lesson Group 10: Breakfast, Garde Manger, and World Cuisines

Lesson Group 10: Breakfast, Garde Manger, and World Cuisines 

In this final course of gourmet cooking, you’ll learn about breakfast delights, tasty sandwiches, appetizers, and hors d’oeuvres, as well as culinary practices around the world. You’ll prepare an entire meal of red cabbage and spinach salad, salmon in parchment with shrimp and peppers, and chartreuse melon with berries.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Choose the correct dishes made with eggs and recognize their importance in the culinary domain.
  • Compare various cuisines of the world.

 Close Curriculum Details

Program Description

The Gourmet Cooking and Catering program is designed to provide you with knowledge of the basic skills required of culinary professionals. You’ll learn how to prepare a variety of meals, differentiate between cuisines, provide catering services for various events, and establish and market their own catering business.

Program Objectives

After completing the Gourmet Cooking and Catering program, you’ll be able to do the following:

  1. Know the services commonly offered at catered events and identify a wide range of styles of events.
  2. Recognize market research, management styles, branding, and how to create written agreements.
  3. Recognize many types of alcoholic beverages, the history of beer and wine, and the characteristics of the most popular categories of wine.
  4. Identify the elements of buffet design and setup.
  5. Understand the basics of food and nutrition and of monitoring food safety and sanitation practices.
  6. Understand the basic principles of modifying and converting recipes.
  7. Comprehend what’s needed to choose the correct equipment and tools.
  8. Know how to plan menus, ensure quality of meals, and season and cook food according to recipes.
  9. Understand preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of food.

The Gourmet Cooking and Catering program from PCDI Canada prepares you for a tasty future. Call 1-800-535-1613 or enroll online now.

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