Culinary Arts - New York Campus

CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS 1: KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

60 hours

At the Institute 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, which are critical in professional cooking environments.

Course highlights:

• Precision cutting: Mastering foundational and modern knife techniques.
• Kitchen safety: Ensuring proper sanitation and safe food handling.
• Ingredient literacy: Identifying diverse vegetables, herbs, spices, and grains.
• Morning service: Preparing breakfast dishes, eggs, and classic emulsions.

Dishes include:
•    Grilled Eggplant and Portobello Sandwich with Fresh Mozzarella and Romesco
•    Vegetarian Three-Bean Chili with Ancho and Sweet Chile Peppers
•    Curry-Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS 2: POULTRY, PORK & LAMB

48 hours

As part of a three-course sequence focusing 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:

• Practice classical roasting, grilling, sautéing, and braising techniques.
• Perform the fabrication of poultry, pork, and lamb.
• Study an introduction to sauce making.
• Utilize modern culinary 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 Potato Gratin
 

CULINARY FUNDAMENTALS 3: VEAL, BEEF & 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:

• Explore classical roasting, grilling, sautéing, and braising techniques.
• Perform fabrication of poultry, pork, and lamb.
• Gain an introduction to sauce making.
• Utilize modern techniques such as sous vide.

Dishes include:
•    Roasted Veal Tenderloin with Oyster Mushroom Cream Sauce
•    Sautéed Filet Mignon with Beárnaise
•    Lobster Rolls
•    Bass en Papillote

PLATING & RESTAURANT SIMULATION

52 hours

As the conclusion to the three-course protein sequence, 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:

• Experience a simulated restaurant environment.
• Study menu and plate development.
• Apply salad and sandwich techniques.
• Practice fabricating and cooking game.

Dishes include:

• Classic and Vegan Caesar Salads
• Pan-Seared Scallops with Spinach Risotto and Shiitake Bacon
• Braised Rabbit with Prosciutto and Broccoli Rabe
• Roasted Poussin with Truffle Butter

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:

• Prepare fruit-based desserts.
• Bake quiches, pies, and tarts.
• Explore the fundamentals of bread baking.
• Design and create plated desserts.

Dishes include:

• Chocolate and Cheese Soufflés
• Sweet and Savory Quick Breads
• Pizza and Flatbreads
• Crème Brûlée, Panna Cotta and Crème Caramel

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE 1: MEDITERRANEAN, THE AMERICAS & 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:

• Focus on international palate development.
• Design an inviting dim sum buffet.
• Examine the spice trade and Middle Eastern cooking.

Dishes include:

• Chicken Mole
• Jamaican Jerk Chicken
• Chicken Korma
• Sushi

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE 2: FRANCE, ITALY & 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:

• Cover regional variations and nuances of European cuisine.
• Learn pasta making from scratch.
• Practice preparing, stuffing, and cooking sausages.
• Create fresh mozzarella.

Dishes include:

• Jambalaya
• Cassoulet
• Fresh Egg Pasta with Pork Ragu

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:

• Explore fermentation, charcuterie, and smoking techniques.
• Utilize modern culinary techniques.
• Practice advanced plating and presentation.
• Prepare advanced hors d’oeuvres.

Dishes include:

• Roasted Green Chile Sausage
• Chicken Gallantine
• Kimchi Consommé
• Sous Vide Short Ribs

EXTERNSHIP

210 hours

At the end of their in-class culinary career training program, all students complete an externship course. While we strongly recommend 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.