Central Carolina Community College
IN-2: Innovation 2

Our Natural Chef, Sustainable Culinary Program is one of very few such programs offered at a community college in the nation. Students will experience hands-on professional development in the areas of sustainability, nutrition, whole foods, culinary technology, sanitation, knife skills, and restaurant management as well as many other areas of culinary operations. The entire certification program could be completed by taking a rigorous combination of courses in one semester or by encompassing two semesters. The approximate cost for the Certification is $1200.00. Upon successful completion of the full certificate, students will be ready for a professional entry level career in culinary arts, with a specialty in sustainability and nutrition that will assist them in becoming a leader in the industry. To obtain a Natural Chef Certification from CCCC, students must complete all classes in either the Sustainable Culinary Pathway or the Natural-Health Culinary Pathway in addition to 25 hours of approved Culinary Arts Community Service. One of the most unique elements of our program is the inclusion of the student run organic farm. Both agriculture and culinary students interact to grow and prepare crops, then use the food waste to return nutrients to the soil via our worm composting process.