Considering a culinary arts education at Ogeechee Technical College?  OTC’s Culinary Arts Instructor Chef Anthony Pisacano discusses the program’s details and features.

What makes OTC’s Culinary Arts program special?

I would have to say that it begins with the experienced and professional instructors who teach here. Chef Bryan Richard and I have extensive culinary backgrounds as well as a degree in culinary arts and we bring that experience to the classroom. Secondly, the state standards we follow for our classes are very close to the standards of The American Culinary Federation, the largest professional chef’s organization in North America, ensuring that each student receives the same professional education.

What kind of courses/programs do you offer?

Ogeechee Technical College currently offers over 100 programs, culinary arts being one of them. There are 16 courses in the culinary program for the Associates degree and diploma levels, not including the general education classes.  It can take up to two years to complete the program. We also offer a Catering Specialist certificate that can be completed within 6 months. Some of the culinary courses range from the principles of cooking, American Regional Cuisine, Baking Principles, Nutrition, Purchasing, Garde Manger, up to and including an internship at an approved culinary facility.

What are classes like?

As with any program, the classes are designed for a professional career in the culinary arts. The students learn from lecture and hands-on labs and are expected to perform to the rigor of the culinary industry. Students not only develop the skills necessary for their chosen career, but they also develop their palettes as well. Our students get to prepare many types of foods as well as learning the science behind the process. A typical lecture class can be from 1 to 2 hours long, whereas the labs in our kitchen may be anywhere from 3 to 6 hours long.

Could you tell us about the teaching facilities?

Our college offers the most up-to-date technological resources to assist our student’s with their education. We are very lucky to have the most current, state of the art equipment in the kitchen lab with which our students can learn. The lab can accommodate up to 15 students, comfortably allowing the chefs to focus on individual student needs.

What is the admissions process like?

The admissions process is very thorough at OTC.  A potential student must be at least 16 years of age and will go through several processes to be enrolled in our program.  After submitting a completed application and application fee, the potential student must also submit their high school, GED, or college transcripts and meet an assessment requirement. Financial aid processing, advisement, registration, and student orientation are also part of the admissions process.

What responses have you received from your students?

I receive a lot of positive feedback from my students. In general they enjoy my sense of humor and the one on one teaching they receive and all comment on how knowledgeable I am in the culinary arts. A large part of my relationship with the students is my availability to them, my willingness to listen, and my concern for them as students. They know I care and am here to help them succeed.

Is there anything else you would like to share about OTC’s Culinary Arts program with our readers?

Aside from the required courses for the program, our students can earn certifications in Sanitation, Nutrition, Purchasing and Cost Control, and Hospitality and Human Resource Management through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ServSafe® and ManageFirst programs. Upon graduating, students can go forth into the workforce in an entry level position as a line cook, baker’s assistant, or even a prep cook. From there they can make of themselves whatever they aspire to with the training they received from our program.

For more complete information, please visit the OTC website at: http://www.ogeecheetech.edu/