Skip to main content

From the movement toward locally grown, sustainable food and 'snout to tail' utilization to precision cooking and modernist techniques, the world of cooking and cuisine is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Colorado is at the forefront of these movements and the Colorado restaurant industry continues to grow — Colorado restaurants outnumber all other types of retail establishments and employ more than 275,000 workers. 

CMU Tech's culinary arts program, with its reputation for excellence, prepares students for a dynamic career in this industry that blends art, science, craft, entertainment, hospitality and health.

Why choose Culinary Arts at CMU Tech

Learn in a spacious state-of-the-art commercial kitchen lab.

Small class size means individual attention from faculty, who are experienced chefs, caterers, bakers, sommeliers, farm managers and restaurant owners.

CMU Tech's award-winning faculty includes a former Colorado Chef of the Year and the past president of the Colorado Chef's Association.

Access to all Colorado Mesa University amenities including the library, study rooms, on-campus housing, meal plans, the student recreation center and more.

Students in the culinary arts program learn the fundamental skills and techniques needed to succeed in a professional kitchen.

Academic Requirements for Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts

Students enrolled in the technical certificate in food preparation learn the fundamental skills and techniques of food and bakery production, safety and sanitation.

Academic Requirements for Technical Certificate in Food Preparation

Chef de Cuisine
Certified Culinarian
Dietician
Pastry Chef or Baker
Food, Beverage or Banquet Manager
Restaurant Owner/Manager

College to Career

Kacey Abbott completed her Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts degree in 2013. She is now Sous Chef at Jax Fish House in Fort Collins, Colorado.

More about this graduate

Baking and Pastry

Degree options for bakeshop production, and baking and pastry are also available through the culinary arts program. Learn more about our baking and pastry options.

Program Faculty