Online Cooking Diplomas and Certificate Programs Overviews

Online options for culinary education are very rare at the introductory level, because learning how to cook is an inherently hands-on process. No diploma programs available online, but some cooking certificate programs are available through distance learning. These programs emphasize the fundamentals of cuisine and practical cooking skills, combining textbooks, online study materials, training DVDs and cooking exercises to be done in students' kitchens.

Overview of Online Cooking Certificate Programs

Designed for chefs with varying levels of experience, online cooking certificate programs offer an introduction to the fundamental concepts and techniques of gourmet cooking. Students will learn to prepare all kinds of food, including staples like soup and bread, desserts like cakes and pastries and even large entrees like roasts and pasta dishes. There are no prerequisites for online culinary certificate programs; students of all ages and levels of education (from post high school upward) can enroll.

Program Information and Requirements

Online cooking certificate programs are typically offered entirely online without any in-person coursework required. Students are responsible for completing textbook readings and exercises and for logging onto Web-based educational software, where they can download study materials, submit assignments and take exams. Their interaction with their instructors is all done over the phone or via e-mail. For the practical training, students use instructional DVDs and cooking labs that can be done in a home kitchen. Students set their own pace, and an online cooking certificate program can be completed in anywhere from a few months to two years.
Because the course software is all Web-based, students aren't required to purchase any special software or hardware. However, in order to practice the preparation methods being taught, students are expected to have a well-stocked, well-equipped kitchen.

List of Common Certificate-level Online Cooking Courses

The curriculum for an online cooking certificate program typically covers every element of a meal, from appetizers to desserts. It also covers a full range of foods that every chef is expected to know how to prepare. Courses devoted to soups and sauces, to game and poultry or to pastry and baking will cover ingredients, techniques and dishes that are important in each category. Courses international cuisine are also commonly offered.

Sauce, Soup and Stock Course

Good stock - a rich broth made with seafood, meat, poultry or vegetables - is essential not only to soups and sauces, but also to countless other dishes. In this course, students learn how to properly prepare and season stocks, soups and sauces, and they master fundamentals like making a roux and preparing a mirepoix.

Meat Preparation Course

Encompassing beef, lamb, veal and pork, courses on meat preparation teach students how to differentiate between cuts of meat, how to determine the appropriate cooking method and how to anticipate the results. Students typically learn a wide array of preparations, including grilling, roasting, frying, stewing, sautéing and braising.

Baking and Pastry Course

For a professional cook, pastry skills can lead to a specialized career path as a pastry chef. A baking and pastry course covers yeast breads and quick breads, cookies and biscuits, pies, cakes and pastries. Students also learn to prepare all the frostings, icings, creams and custards that accompany sweet pastries.

International Cuisine Course

Most formal culinary education programs use French gastronomy as their foundations, but as the world gets smaller and smaller, it's become vital that chefs are trained in a variety of culinary traditions. At the certificate level, courses in international cuisine introduce students to the basic flavors, ingredients and techniques found in culinary traditions from around the globe.

Career Information for Graduates

For students interested in working in professional kitchens, completing online cooking certificate programs will give them the basic training necessary for entry-level cooking positions, such as prep, assistant or line cooks. In May of 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that lower-level cooks who worked in restaurants made an average of $22,770 a year. Contrastingly, cooks at the same level working in hotels and casinos were averaging $27,430 (www.bls.gov). The BLS also reports that while job growth in this sector is expected to be slightly lower than the national average between 2008 and 2018, the prospects are still strong. The BLS attributes this to a steady turnover rate.

Professional Certification Information

Aside from a food handler's license issued by the local government, culinary professionals are rarely required to have professional certification. It can, however, be an advantage when applying for a job. The American Culinary Federation (ACF) certifies culinary professionals at all levels, beginning with the Certified Culinarian certification (www.acfchefs.org). A graduate of an online cooking certificate program would have to present a copy of their certificate, as well as evidence of at least one year of professional experience. The test comprises a written and a practical portion.