Richland Community College has many great program offerings for their students, one of them is the Culinary Arts program.
 
Brian Tucker, director of Culinary Arts , says that the 3 and a half year old program is a very strong and great offering for students. The major covers all bases of food-making and food business.
 
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Tucker says students can attain exactly the kind of certificate or degree they want through the program. They have an Associate's Degree program, but at the same time prospective students can take several classes just to pick up a certificate for specific skills. He also says that there are a wide variety of students that come into the program for various reasons and interests.
 
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Tucker says that a Culinary degree can open many doors for someone who wants to go into the food or restaurant business. Many of Richland's alumni end up finding jobs in restaurants, bakeries and other food-related organizations. He says that experience may help a graduate get a job but a degree helps their cause much more.
 
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The Culinary Arts program starts students out slowly, with the basics in the kitchen. From there, Tucker explains students will know all the cuisines and have a solid knowledge base when they graduate.

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The Culinary Arts Department will be hosting a special event called "Kitchen Warriors November 8. The event is geared towards local chefs who can bring out a signature dish. Guests who attend can taste the dishes and are the judges. The top two chefs will be brought on stage for a live cook-off. Tickets for guests are $25 and there is no charge to have a dish entered.

For information on the "Kitchen Warriors" event or information about the culinary arts program, you can contact Richland at 217-875-7211 ext. 740.