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Culinary Arts
South Sound’s only American Culinary Federation-Accredited Culinary Arts degree and certificate program!
Apply NowStudents prepare for a variety of careers in the culinary arts profession and for advanced education at other culinary institutions. Career paths include dinner cook, institutional cook, cook’s helper, baker’s helper, fry cook, and short order cook. Students work in all aspects of the dining facilities on campus, planning and preparing meals and catering banquet functions. Instruction includes food planning and preparation, and serving and cleanup. Graduates receive a broad base of skills and are well prepared for a variety of entry-level culinary jobs.
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Program Information
Degrees & Certificates:
- Associate of Applied Science: Culinary Arts
- Certificate of Training: Hospitality-Line Cook
- CIP: 12.0503
Program Lengths:
- AAS degree program length: 6 Quarters
- Certificate of Training: 2 Quarters
Location/Hours
Downtown Campus
7:30AM - 4:00PM
PROGRAM AFFILIATIONS AND ACCREDITATION INFORMATION:
Proud members of the Washington State Chef Association and American Culinary Federation.
Note: Information is accurate as of its original posting date. The college reserves the right to edit, change, or update information as needed throughout the year. Up-to-date information is available in Student Services.
Hospitality - Line Cook - Certificate of Training (32 Credits)
- 2 quarter Certificate of Training
,Culinary Arts - Associate in Applied Science (118 Credits)
While training in the culinary arts program, students learn foundational kitchen techniques. International cooking styles, and knife skills. Hands-on cooking classes cover skills like sauce preparation, baking, pastry techniques, and menu planning. While working in all aspects of the dining facilities on campus and off with planning and preparing for events and preparing meals and catering banquet functions.
The Culinary Arts (AAS) degree prepares Bates technical college students in a variety of careers in culinary arts, hospitality management or culinary arts management. Graduates receive a broad base of skills and are well prepared for a variety of entry-level positions
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All students must have a valid Food Handler Card prior to working in the culinary lab and service to customers.
Licensure
Currently, no license is required for culinary careers in Washington State. However, all food workers are required to have a valid food worker card per WAC 246-217. Local health departments offer the food worker training, test and card. The Food Handler’s Permit is valid throughout the state.
Students are encouraged to research career goals as more employers are seeking employees with degrees and may also require specific American Culinary Foundation chef certifications and levels of proficiency.
Information regarding employment and training can be researched at the American Culinary Foundation and the Washington State Chefs Association websites.
At Bates, our tuition is affordable and there are options to help make it even easier to gain an education. Federal aid is available for many of our students. Scholarships are also available through the Bates Foundation.
See if you qualify for other funding through our special funding programs with the Workforce Education office.
Resident Tuition and Fees
- 1st quarter $1,627.26 for 13 credits
- 2nd quarter $2,154.64 for 19 credits
- 3rd quarter $1,866. 72 for 16 credits
- 4th quarter $2,026.36 for 18 credits
- 5th quarter $1,946.54 for 17 credits
- 6th quarter $2,282.92 for 20 credits
Costs
- Uniforms are purchased through NEWCHEF. The total uniform costs $98.90 + shipping $14.50. We recommend that uniforms are ordered one month prior to the first day of class. Please see the order sheet, and our code is BATES.
- Non-slip black shoes: $30-$120. Available at multiple stores.
- Culinary knife sets: $120. Special pricing with restaurant supply company Bargreen Ellingson in Tacoma, WA.
- Meat thermometer: $10 – $40. Available at multiple stores.
- MyLab Culinary E-Text book (OnCooking) and access code: $119. Completed at first day orientation through CANVAS (Instructor guided).
- ServSafe Manager textbook: $50.50, purchased through ServSafe.com
Professional Memberships
Washington State Chef Association and American Culinary Federation
Beginning Aug. 1, 2026, the American Culinary Federation (ACF) will provide complimentary Associate Membership to students enrolled in American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEF AC)-accredited Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry, and Food Management programs, making it easier for the next generation of culinarians to connect with the profession from the start of their careers.
As part of the initiative, students who successfully complete an accredited program will also receive complimentary ACF certification (Certified Culinarian) based on their educational attainment. Eligible graduates will not be required to complete separate written or practical certification exams associated with their educational level.
Students will receive their first certification towards becoming a chef as a Certified Culinarian (CC), with the completion of Bates Technical College’s Culinary Arts program.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Culinary Arts program will:
- Manage tasks in a diverse, ever changing culinary environment;
- Interpret weights and measurements, execute standard recipe conversions and implement cost controls in a kitchen setting;
- Demonstrate diversity and organizational skills to adapt quickly in a team environment;
- Demonstrate and apply food safety and sanitation practices;
- Demonstrate knowledge and ability to apply all forms of cookery;
- Employ industry standard guest service skills, professional presentation and communication skills;
- Apply standards that meet American Culinary Federation Education Foundation requirements in a kitchen environment.
Culinary Arts Job Placement, Graduation, and Certification Rates
| Rate | 2023–2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
| Culinary Job Placement Rate | Insufficient Data | Insufficient Data | 59% |
| Culinary Graduation Rate | Insufficient Data | Insufficient Data | 52% |
| ACF Certification Rate | Insufficient Data | 50% | 70% |
Each year, the Culinary Arts Program Advisory Committee engages in a comprehensive review process, evaluating the endorsement of the program’s curriculum through classroom and lab facility assessments and faculty competency reviews. The committee then determines whether to validate the program.
Earn a bachelor’s degree:
The Bates Technical College Culinary Arts program, in partnership with South Seattle College, offers you an opportunity to advance your career in hospitality with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management from South Seattle College. Gain practical learning outcomes in areas like communication, law, HR, finance, and branding while building the skills to lead in an evolving industry. Being within a major travel and tourism hub, you’ll have access to strong connections with corporate hospitality, lodging, and event partners through networking and professional development. Explore the program!