Cooking & Culinary

Barbecue cooks meat low and slow over smoke. You will learn fire management, smokers and fuels, the science of bark and rendering, regional styles and the core cuts from brisket to ribs.

This topic covers the scientific principles of baking, focusing on ingredient functions, measuring techniques, and heat transfer. You will understand how to prepare basic batters, doughs, and leavened goods with consistent, predictable results.

This topic covers the techniques of yeast fermentation, dough hydration, kneading, and baking. You will understand how to cultivate wild yeast starters, manage proofing times, and bake various styles of artisanal and sandwich breads.

Mixology is the craft of balanced drinks. You will learn the classic cocktails and their families, technique and tools, spirits knowledge and how to develop your own recipes.

Specialty coffee is a craft from bean to cup. You will learn brewing methods and ratios, espresso and milk, grinding and water, tasting, and how to improve your coffee at home or behind a bar.

This topic covers fundamental culinary methods, including dry-heat, moist-heat, and combination cooking. You will understand how to sauté, braise, roast, and poach various ingredients to control texture, develop deep flavors, and improve kitchen efficiency.

This topic covers the principles of safe food handling, storage, and preparation to prevent foodborne illness. You will understand temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, sanitation standards, and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) guidelines.

Fermentation makes beer, wine, cider, kombucha and more at home. You will learn the microbiology, equipment and sanitation, recipes and how to troubleshoot and improve each batch.

This topic covers the traditional ingredients, flavor profiles, and cooking methods of diverse global cultures. You will understand how regional geography, history, and agricultural practices shape culinary traditions and learn to prepare authentic international dishes.

This topic covers the selection, maintenance, and safe operation of kitchen knives. You will understand how to perform precise cuts, including dice, julienne, and chiffonade, while maintaining blade sharpness and practicing proper hand positioning.

This topic covers the planning, portioning, and batch-cooking of meals for efficient weekly consumption. You will understand how to select storage containers, safely reheat food, balance nutritional requirements, and optimize grocery shopping to save time and reduce waste.

This topic covers the techniques required to create sweet baked goods, custards, and confections. You will understand how to laminate dough, temper chocolate, whip meringues, and construct complex desserts using precise temperature control and decoration methods.

This topic covers the operational standards, speed, and precision required in commercial kitchens. You will understand station organization, menu planning, volume food production, and how to work efficiently within a professional kitchen brigade system.

This topic covers the process of creating, testing, and scaling original culinary recipes. You will understand how to balance flavors, document measurements precisely, adjust yields for commercial production, and write clear, repeatable instructions for others.

Wine appreciation combines tasting skill with knowledge of grapes, regions and winemaking. You will learn structured tasting, the major grape varieties and wine regions, how viticulture and production shape style, food pairing, and the WSET qualification path.