Culinary Arts - Los Angeles Campus

CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS 1 – KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

60 hours

At the Insitute of Culinary Education, every student's culinary career training program starts with a comprehensive introduction to knife skills and food safety. Afterward, you’ll use a range of methods for preparing vegetables, progressing from salads to complex plant-based cuisine. You will begin to explore the techniques that underlie fine cooking, including the concept of mise en place, that are critical in professional cooking environments.

Course highlights:

• Classical and contemporary knife skills.
• Food safety and sanitation.
• Product identification of vegetables, herbs, spices, legumes and more.
• Breakfast cuisine and egg cookery including emulsions.

Dishes include:

• Grilled Eggplant and Portobello Sandwich with Fresh Mozzarella and Romesco.
• Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili with Ancho and Sweet Chili Peppers.
• Grain Bowl with Quinoa-Lentil Pilaf and Roasted Vegetables.

CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS 2 – POULTRY, PORK AND LAMB

48 hours

The first in a three-course sequence on protein-based cuisine, this course covers key techniques like sautéing, roasting, braising and grilling. You will fabricate the essential cuts and prepare stocks and sauces that utilize each ingredient. Then you’ll prepare dishes to practice each technique and build your confidence and competence, with increasing attention to time management and organization.

Course highlights:

• Classical roasting, grilling, sautéing and braising techniques.
• Fabrication of poultry, pork and lamb.
• Introduction to sauce making.
• Modern techniques such as sous vide.

Dishes include:

• Sautéed Duck Breast with Orange Gastrique.
• Pan Roasted Rack of Lamb with Red Wine Pan Sauce.
• Grilled Brined Pork Chop with Caramelized Onion and Bourbon Sauce.
• Sous Vide Chicken Breast with Jus Lie.

CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS 3 – VEAL, BEEF AND SEAFOOD

56 hours

With the same structure as Course 2, you’ll fabricate steaks, cutlets and chops, and prepare soups, brown sauces and pan sauces as you continue to deepen your understanding of fundamental techniques. You’ll also start applying these methods to seafood, including flatfish, round fish and shellfish as you prepare dishes that highlight the special skills that these foods require.

Course highlights:

• Selecting and fabricating fish and shellfish.
• Fabrication of large subprimals of beef.
• Introduction to professional plating.
• Roasting, grilling, sautéing, searing, poaching and braising techniques.

Dishes include:

• Braised Osso Bucco with Risotto.
• Sautéed Filet Mignon with Bearnaise.
• Lobster Bisque and Crabcakes.
• Grilled Swordfish with Beurre Rouge.

PLATING & RESTAURANT SIMULATION

52 hours

In this third and final course on protein-based cuisine, you’ll further refine your abilities as you produce composed entrées and simulate the experience of cooking in a restaurant, including more complex sauces. You will also gain exposure and prepare game specialties like rabbit, quail and venison.

Course highlights:

• Simulated restaurant environment.
• Menu and plate development.
• Advanced sauce technique.
• Fabricating and cooking game.

Dishes include:

• Pan Roasted Cod with Manila Clams and Chorizo.
• Grilled Hangar Steak with Caramelized Shallots and Chive Mashed Potatoes.
• Herb Risotto with Seared Sea Scallops.
• Roast Squab with Dirty Rice and Pan Gravy.
• Braised Rabbit with Prosciutto and Red Onions.

PASTRY & BAKING

52 hours

The skills taught in this course are not just for desserts – they can be used in savory cooking. From custards and pizza to biscuits, frozen desserts and ice cream, you will prepare specialties that can be part of exciting entrees or memorable finales to the dining experience.

Course highlights:

• Fruit-based desserts.
• Baking quiches, pies and tarts.
• Introduction to bread baking.
• Creating plated desserts.

Dishes include:

• Chocolate and cheese soufflés.
• Sweet and savory quick breads.
• Pizza and flatbreads.
• Crème brulee, panna cotta and crème caramel.

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE 1 – MEDITERRANEAN, THE AMERICAS AND ASIA

56 hours

Centering on flavor profiles and specific techniques, this course acquaints students with essential dishes from around the world on a culinary journey through the countries of the Mediterranean, North and South America, and Asia. Understanding the herbs, spices, ingredients and methods that characterize these cuisines will broaden your palate and culinary perspective, as international flavor profiles play a key role in contemporary culinary arts.

Course highlights:

• International palate development.
• Creating an inviting dim sum buffet.
• Studying the spice trade and Middle Eastern cooking.

Dishes include:

• Roast turkey with mole negro.
• Jamaican jerk chicken.
• Pad Thai.
• Northern Indian lamb curry.
• Sushi.

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE 2 – FRANCE, ITALY AND GARDE MANGER

48 hours

France and Italy are considered the touchstones for all western cuisines – and for good reason. In this course, students become familiar with characteristic ingredients, methods and dishes from some of the most important cuisines in Europe. Using authentic recipes and ingredients, students are exposed to the diversity and beauty that characterize regional European cuisines.

Course highlights:

• Refine your palates with nuances of European cuisine.
• Pasta making from scratch.
• Preparing, stuffing and cooking sausages.
• Making fresh mozzarella.

Dishes include:

• Bouillabaisse with Rouille.
• Cassoulet.
• Fresh Egg Pasta with Pesto.

ADVANCED CUISINE

60 hours

Whether with hydrocolloids, fermentation or plant-based cooking, today’s kitchens rely on innovative ideas and modern techniques to produce their signature dishes. In this course, you’ll study the methods, flavors and presentations that today’s best restaurants use to take food to the next level and create enjoyable dining experiences. Finally, with a basket of seasonal ingredients, students will work alone to create a unique menu that demonstrates their skill and creativity.

Course highlights:

• Fermentation, preserving and pickling.
• Modern culinary techniques.
• Advanced plating and presentation.
• Cooking of the contemporary masters.

Dishes include:

• Slow Roasted Lamb Neck with Salsa Verde and Arugula Salad.
• Citrus Cured Fluke with Shiso Bavarois and Ponzu Gelee.
• Goat Cheese Cake, Honey-Ginger Ice Cream, Almond Sponge.
• Compressed Watermelon, Black Olive Crumbs, Feta Spheres and Balsamic Caviar.

EXTERNSHIP

210 hours

At the end of their in-class culinary career training program, all students complete an externship course. While we strongly recommend that students extern in restaurant kitchens, individuals may request venues such as hotels, catering companies, corporate dining rooms or test kitchens in accordance with their professional goals.