Fast Recipes Presents the PTC Arkansas Culinary School - Classroom Facilities and Admissions Process

What are classes like?

Classes at the Arkansas Culinary School meet once a week. Classes are offered from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday at two different sites. Most classes meet at the Little Rock South site. The lab (cooking) classes meet for six contact hours once a week. The first two hours are spent in the classroom with lectures, group discussion, and team building.  The other four hours are hands-on cooking in the kitchen/lab areas. Classes such as Applied Foodservice Sanitation and Introduction to Hospitality, just to name two, are lecture-only classes and meet three contract hours once a week. Lab classes are limited to 18 students per class and lecture classes have a limit of 25. Currently the ACS offers the Applied Foodservice Sanitation class in an online format and plans to develop other lecture classes in an online format.

Most instructors invite a variety of guest speakers to classes and/or take classes on field trips to expand the students’ educational opportunities. The ACS is heavily involved in many community events and students have the opportunity to volunteer to work front or back of the house at these events, thus gaining more practical, hands-on experience as they meet and work with local chefs, restaurateurs, general managers and business leaders.

Could you tell us about the teaching facilities?

The ACS has two kitchen facilities plus lab space outside the actual kitchen areas. The kitchens are production kitchens as well as teaching kitchens. Classes are staggered so there are no more than two classes in the kitchen at one time. Classrooms comfortably seat 25 students and are equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment.

What is the admissions process like?

Students can apply for admission to Pulaski Technical College online at www.pulaskitech.edu. They must meet with the ACS assistant director for advising and registration. Scholarship opportunities are available from the college and other funding agencies as well as full financial aid.

What responses have you received from your students?

Students express excitement about the education they receive and are very grateful for the low tuition costs compared to other culinary schools. The ACS helps students with job placement during their education and after graduation. Any motivated student who wants a job can find one. Most students are employed either full or part-time while attending culinary school.