The Culinary Arts Academy is a professional training program within our tuition-free trade school in AZ, where students gain advanced skills in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food service management. The academy includes two immersive tracks:

• Culinary Arts: Focuses on preparing, cooking, plating, and serving food—covering American regional and global cuisine, kitchen leadership, and cost analysis.
• Baking & Pastry: Centers on artisan baking, pastries, desserts, food safety, and team-based operations in a professional kitchen environment.

Students can earn industry-recognized credentials that make them workforce-ready:

• ServSafe Food Handler Certification
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
• American Culinary Federation Certified Fundamentals Cook

These certifications are essential in both the culinary and hospitality industries and are often required by restaurants and commercial kitchens.

Yes! Students train in professional-grade kitchens that mirror high-end restaurant environments. They engage in:

• Hands-on food preparation and plating
• Front-of-house and back-of-house operations
• Kitchen sanitation and safety
• Event-based catering and team cooking simulations

This applied approach helps students master the skills needed in real culinary careers.

Students graduate prepared for a variety of high-demand careers, including:

• Chef or Sous Chef (174K employed in the U.S., 22K job openings per year, $57K average yearly salary)
• Pastry Chef or Baker (Often included within chef statistics; strong demand in restaurants, hotels, and bakeries nationwide)
• Nutritionist or Dietary Aide (79K employed in the U.S., 6K job openings per year, $66K average yearly salary)
• Event Planner (132K employed in the U.S., 15K job openings per year, $53K average yearly salary)
• Restaurant Owner or Manager (Entrepreneurial and managerial career paths with earning potential dependent on experience and location)

Many students also go on to culinary school or hospitality management programs with advanced standing thanks to their certifications, hands-on training, and real-world experience.

The program is led by Chef Tricia Benning, a seasoned Executive Chef with over 30 years of global experience. She holds dual Master's Degrees in Business Administration and Organizational Leadership and has served as a Private Chef for the Masters Golf Tournament and Executive Chef for the U.S. Air Force—bringing elite culinary leadership to the academy.

Unlike traditional culinary trade schools that charge steep tuition, ALA Applied Technologies offers culinary career training at no cost, integrated into a full high school experience. Students graduate with certifications, real kitchen experience, and college-ready skills—all in a structured, values-focused environment rooted in excellence and leadership.