Kitchen Management

Kitchen Management

Technical Certificate

Build on the Culinary Career Essentials to learn the managerial functions required for positions as kitchen managers, deli managers, sous chef, or institutional food service managers.

  • Culinary student flambĂ©ing a dish in a pan with flames on a stove.
  • Culinary student plating food in a busy kitchen.

    Program Outline

    Term 1
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1031612500 Culinary Principles
    Description

    Food science principles applied to professional culinary food preparation. Units include professional kitchen operation, recipe terminology, and cooking techniques for various food categories.

    3.00
    1031612600 Culinary Applications
    Description

    Provides practical experience applying food science principles in food preparation, analysis, and evaluation of preparation techniques. Prerequisites: 1031612500 Culinary Principles (C or better) (concurrent enrollment allowed) and 1031612100 Sanitation and Safety Fundamentals (C or better) (concurrent enrollment allowed).

    3.00
    1031612200 Sanitation and Safety Basics
    Description

    Learn basic principles of sanitation and safety in order to maintain a safe and healthy food service environment. The course presents laws and regulations related to safety, fire, and sanitation and how to adhere to them in the food service operation. Successful completion of the course enables students to take a national sanitation certification examination.

    1.00
    Term 3
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1031615500 Menu Planning
    Description

    Develops skill in planning creative, well-designed, and informative menus for use in the food service industry. Includes planning, design elements, layout, and copy writing. Prerequisites: 1031612100 Sanitation and Safety Fundamentals (C or better) and 1031612500 Culinary Principles (C or better) and 1031612600 Culinary Applications (C or better).

    2.00
    1031616000 Food Purchasing
    Description

    Examines standards and specifications of food purchasing with emphasis on quality, grading, optimal price, and ordering requirements. Situational problems develop skills for work situations. Prerequisites: 1031611500 Culinary Math (C or better) and 1031612500 Culinary Principles (C or better) and 1031612600 Culinary Applications (C or better).

    2.00
    Term 4
    Course # Course Title Credits
    1031617500 Food Service Cost Control
    Description

    Analysis of the factors affecting food and beverage cost control. Purchasing, receiving, preparation, storage, and inventory practices are examined. Prerequisite: 1031611500 Culinary Math (C or better).

    2.00
    1031618100 Food Service Management
    Description

    Introduction to food service management. Fundamentals of leadership, communication techniques, employee motivation, recruitment, hiring, training employees, and problem solving/decision making processes are covered.

    2.00

    At A Glance

    How You'll Learn

    Image
    On campus icon: silhouette of building with a clock and flag.

    On Campus

    Image
    Online classes icon: silhouette of computer monitor.

    Online Classes

    Summer 2026 Start Date

    May 18 - Summer Term Start
    June 15 - Additional Term Start for Select Courses

    Fall 2026 Start Dates

    August 31 - 16-Week Fall Term Start
    October 26 - Additional 8-Week Term Start for Select Courses

    Spring 2027 Start Dates

    January 11 - 16-Week Spring Term Start
    March 15 - Additional 8-Week Term Start for Select Courses

    Program Tuition*

    $2,649

    Books & Supplies*

    $636

    *Total cost for degree completion is estimated by current course requirements, books, and supplies. Tuition and fees are set by the Wisconsin Technical College System and subject to change.

    You may experience these additional costs, not charged by Nicolet, estimated based on length of program.

    Transportation
    $4,600
    Food/Housing
    $4,576
    Personal Expenses
    $4,584

    What You'll Learn

    • Apply safety and sanitation codes to conditions and operations in food service kitchens
    • Prepare recipes and formulas to industry standards
    • Apply basic food theory to solve problems in food preparation
    • Produce creative menus for buffet, a` la carte, and catered events
    • Supervise food service operations using prescribed management theories and techniques
    • Integrate purchasing principles and food cost controls into menus
    • Demonstrate attributes of a culinary professional

    Your Potential Careers

    • Entry-level Kitchen Management

    Median Annual Salary

    $29,259 $34,318 $36,353
    Local State National

    Lightcast 2023.1

    Get Started

    Your application can be submitted online, it takes just a few minutes to complete.

    Image
    Culinary student in a busy kitchen reaching for a shelf.

    Related Programs

    Image
    Male student smiling with headphones using a laptop in a blurred office setting.

    Become a Student

    Image
    Two students sitting on grass, smiling, trees and a building in background.

    Earn a Bachelor's Degree

    Image
    Group of students chatting and laughing in student lounge at Lakeside Commons.

    Prepare for College

    Image
    Yellow autumn leaves in focus with a blurred building in the background.

    Looking for Classes?