There’s so much more to a culinary career than cooking, cooking styles, food safety and how to safely handle kitchen equipment. It’s presentation and customer service. It’s event planning and promotion. It’s business management and development. It’s everything related to food in the hospitality industry.

At Contra Costa College, students will learn the ins and outs of many different cuisines and styles hands-on in state-of-the-art facilities. The new kitchen is beautiful and equipped with everything people may come across in a modern restaurant. The teaching restaurant, Aqua Terra Grill, is an upscale, fine-dining experience lauded by the community. And the takeout counter Pronto is a popular destination for students looking for something tasty on-the-go.

Students will get hands on experience such as by catering and hosting many special events. These aren’t merely cool experiences to expand a student's palate - they also broaden their skillset and put them in the running for a lot more jobs.

At Contra Costa College, students won’t just become a top-notch chef, line cook, prep cook or steward. They will master all the skills needed to be successful in a commercial kitchen, like balancing a budget, planning major events and communicating effectively with teammates.

It’s an incredible experience, sure. But it’s also a faster and far more thorough education than students would get from simply working in a restaurant or taking cooking courses.

There is even a dedicated board of professional advisors, representing a wide range of employers, from local favorites to prestigious institutions like the Claremont Hotel & Spa, to make sure Contra Costa College stays current and industry-relevant.

And if students are already working in a restaurant or other job, the co-op program will allow them to earn college credit for working. The school day even ends early, so students can still make it to work in the evening.