Introducing: Penn Foster’s Gourmet Cooking Certificate Program
While PCDI is no longer accepting enrollments in our Gourmet Cooking and Catering Program, we’re excited to introduce you to our partner school, Penn Foster.
If you're interested in becoming a professional cook, Penn Foster's online Gourmet Cooking Certificate Program can help you prepare for this career.
LEARN MORECook Up a New and Exciting Career
Penn Foster’s Gourmet Cooking Certificate can help you prepare to take the next steps toward the job you want as a professional cook. Learn the skills you need to jump into this field or launch and grow your business through flexible online courses you can do on your schedule.
Why Penn Foster?
Penn Foster has been on a mission to help people like you obtain skills and achieve their career goals for more than 130 years. We provide students with a quality education that fits their busy lifestyle and budget, offering over 100 self-paced, career-relevant programs across our College, Career School, and High School. Every course is designed to work with your schedule, anytime, anywhere you want to study. With a focus on relevant skills and career prep for the job you’re after, Penn Foster can help you graduate with confidence and help provide a guide towards your career goals.
What You'll Learn in Penn Foster’s Online Gourmet Cooking Certificate Program
- How to select the proper buffet setup for different situations and specific techniques for garnishing and presenting individual dishes.
- How to use a variety of preparation and cooking techniques, including cutting techniques such as julienne and chiffonade, and cooking methods such as braising, parboiling, and stir-frying.
- How to prepare a variety of dishes properly, including fish, poultry, and beef, as well as utilizing the best cooking technique for each.
- How to prepare ingredients and create a variety of popular gourmet meals and world cuisines.
Penn Foster’s Gourmet Cooking Curriculum
As part of our Gourmet Cooking course curriculum, you'll learn the fundamental skills to excel at cooking and presenting excellent meals for family and friends. Your courses include:
- Gourmet Cooking: Stocks, Sauces, and Soups
- Gourmet Cooking: Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs
- Gourmet Cooking: Poultry and Game
- Gourmet Cooking: Baking and Pastry
Learn More About the Penn Foster Experience
At Penn Foster, we think online learning can make a big difference in people's lives, and it should be available to everyone. That's why we've made our programs affordable and tailored to fit your needs. You can learn and improve your skills for the job you want, all at your own pace and on your own schedule.
Gourmet Cooking Certificate FAQs
A certificate-level program in gourmet cooking can help you learn culinary basics or take your skills to the next level. However, a certificate alone won't necessarily qualify you for a job as a chef or cook in a restaurant. Combined with additional education, credentials, or work experience, you could potentially qualify for jobs like line cook, professional chef, or roles in catering and food service.
Learning to cook well can be beneficial for many reasons, meaning taking online cooking courses can be worth the time! Whether you want to learn how to prepare more meals at home so you can avoid take-out every night, or you want to impress family and friends with your culinary skills, gourmet cooking classes can help you take the first step.
According to Salary.com, the salary range typically falls between $44,197 and $60,276.* Salary can vary based on experience, where you work, and what kind of chef you are. It's important to note that, to become a chef, you may need more culinary education and experience than offered in a certificate-level program and many chefs initially start their careers as line cooks, sous chefs, or in other assistant kitchen roles. Salary can vary based on experience, where you work, and what kind of chef you are. It's important to note that, to become a chef, you may need more culinary education and experience than offered in a certificate-level program and many chefs initially start their careers as line cooks, sous chefs, or in other assistant kitchen roles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in the restaurant industry is predicted to grow 2% by 2032, adding about 79,700 openings for food and beverage serving and related workers each year.**
Sources:
*Salary. "Chef Salary in the United States." Salary.com Accessed October 4, 2023.
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. "Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed October 4, 2023.
The completion of a certificate-level program does not typically qualify a student for employment. Completion of this program may assist students who have previous academic or work-related experience improve their chances for promotion or entry-level employment.
