Cooking Education at the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNTD) provides students with an in-depth exploration of the science, art, and business of cooking. The program offers a range of courses from basic culinary techniques to advanced gourmet preparation. Students learn to create restaurant-quality meals in state-of-the-art kitchen laboratories and can also obtain internships with local restaurants.
At UNTD, aspiring cooks gain practical skills and knowledge in a variety of areas such as food safety, nutrition, menu planning, food storage and preservation, and food service regulations. Through the program, students are able to develop the necessary skills to prepare delicious and healthy meals that can be enjoyed by family and friends. In addition, they can learn proper plating and presentation techniques to impress guests.
Students enrolled in cooking courses also gain valuable experience through field trips. During these experiences, they visit local farms and restaurants, learning firsthand how food is grown, harvested and prepared. Furthermore, they observe different methods of cooking among regional and ethnic cultures in order to broaden their understanding of food culture. With this knowledge, students hone their own culinary techniques to create unique dishes.
In addition to hands-on instruction and field trips, UNTD's cooking education program provides students with the opportunity to participate in cooking competitions. This program allows students to demonstrate their culinary skills in front of industry professionals in both local and national competitions. Such competitions provide an incentive for students to expand their creativity, hone their technique, learn to efficiently manage time pressures, as well as, gain exposure to more established chefs and restaurateurs.
UNTD’s cooking education program gives students the tools they need to enter the culinary workforce professionally and confidently. Through this course, students are able to explore their creativity, build the skills necessary to succeed in the industry, and be inspired to make food that looks, tastes, and feels wonderful.