Get comprehensive and convenient online training in foundational culinary skills and techniques with ICE's online Culinary Arts & Food Operations diploma program.
Gain foundational, professional training in the techniques and art of cooking — all from the convenience of your own kitchen. This 900-hour intensive curriculum explores theory, science, technique, palate development and culinary business fundamentals vital to professional success. A hands-on industry externship gives you the opportunity to enhance your skills and gain real-world cooking and baking experience.
There’s no need to put your life on hold to pursue your culinary passion!
If you’re unable to access an ICE campus, relocate or schedule consistent classes, you can still earn an ICE diploma in culinary arts. Students in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming can now enroll in our fully online program featuring a customized curriculum and experienced chef-instructors.
Weekly Virtual Classes: participate live or view on-demand
Program Duration:16 months; currently available to students located in AZ, CA, CT, FL, HI, ID, IL, MI, MS, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA and WY (additional states coming soon)
Tuition, Fees & Charges: $19,175
Open House: April 7, 2023
The online Culinary Arts & Food Operations diploma program has been expertly designed by our team of chefs and educators from ICE's New York and Los Angeles campuses. This unique program gives students of all ages who are unable to attend on-campus classes the skills and experience needed for a variety of roles at restaurants, hotels and other food service settings.
In the online diploma program, you will receive lessons from 24 chefs who bring to the table a wealth of experience, subject matter expertise and passion, to pass on their knowledge. Our collection of chefs come from all different backgrounds, including Adrienne Cheatham (formerly of Le Bernadin and Top Chef runner-up), Maria Loi (Women’s Award from the Women Together Foundation at the United Nations) and Chintan Pandya (2019 StarChefs Rising Stars).
Our online approach to culinary arts education provides essential training in foundational principals of culinary arts — the theory, science and techniques that form the basis for major cuisines. In addition, students will study the fundamentals of pastry and baking, as well as food service operations and management. A typical week includes cooking a variety of dishes and cuisines, assigned readings, instructional videos, individual or group projects, and chef-led classes, which you can view live or on-demand.
Our carefully designed labs give you the opportunity to apply what you have learned in readings, videos and chef-led classes. You’ll be using recipes designed to develop your palate and reinforce the techniques that are the core of cuisine. Some of the things we’ll teach are how to:
This new curriculum is structured so students get assessed on their learning path several times a week. Chef-instructors provide individual feedback on student's photos, videos and text submissions to support continual progress toward learning objectives and refinement of skills and techniques.
Our career services team will help match you with a restaurant or food-related business to gain real-world experience. You'll put your culinary skills to the test, make connections in the industry and gain business knowledge you can use to launch your culinary career.
Past guest speakers have included (clockwise from top left): David Chang*, chef, restaurateur, TV host and author; Christina Tosi, Milkbar founder and chef; Thomas Keller*, chef and restaurateur, The French Laundry and Per Se, and Mashama Bailey*, executive chef of The Grey.
Experts from all over the nation visit ICE's campuses in New York City and Los Angeles (in person and virtually) to lead professional development classes, demonstrations, lectures and events — most of which are available to students and alumni for no additional charge. Online students can take advantage of these exclusive opportunities when they are available, to watch, interact with and ask questions of successful epicureans from various areas of the industry.
Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll receive a diploma in Culinary Arts & Food Operations with the option to join our commencement ceremony in Los Angeles. You’ll also benefit from the ongoing support of our Career Services department, which has helped more than 15,000 graduates secure jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Simply connect with ICE's Admission team. Our representatives' mission is to understand each student's personal goals and help them select the right program to fit their individual needs and lifestyle. Apply online and an ICE admissions representative will reach out to commence the personal experience the school is known for.
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Admissions Information
You know it's in you — the ambition to pursue a rewarding career in food. ICE is ready to help you find your culinary voice and achieve your career dreams.
12 Reasons Why You Should Choose ICE.
ICE Career Brochure
Uniforms
Google Chromebook
Digital textbooks
Knives
Culinary tool kit
Application fee
All applicable taxes
ICE’s Online Culinary Arts & Food Operations program contains 16 courses, offering students comprehensive training in the art and actual practice of cooking, all from the convenience of their own kitchen. The 63-week program is designed so students can attend classes on their own schedule each week. Expert chef-instructors from ICE’s Los Angeles and New York City campuses introduce students to the time-tested fundamentals of cooking, cuisines from around the globe and techniques from modern masters.
At ICE, we recognize that virtually all culinary and pastry arts occurs in locations that are also a business so we have included multiple business and operations courses in the online program. These important sessions will introduce you to skills and topics such as marketing, purchasing and staff management.
The final course in the program is an off-site externship at a location chosen by the student based on his or her career goals. ICE's Career Services advisors consider the student's career aspirations, skills, schedule and academic record, to ensure the most beneficial externship placement.
The program is constructed as follows:
In Europe, aspiring chefs learn their trade through culinary apprenticeships. ICE's global teaching perspective takes inspiration from this centuries-old tradition, with our hands-on externship program.
What exactly is an “externship”? Similar in concept to a culinary internship, these paid or unpaid placements are chosen at a student's discretion with the assistance of Career Services Advisors. Each externship is designed to fit the interests and career goals of the individual student, and externships consistently prove to be an exceptional opportunity for hands-on training and networking at the heart of the industry. What’s more, many externships lead to job offers and full-time employment.
How does the externship program work? The final course of our Culinary Arts & Food Operations program is a 200-hour externship at a restaurant, bakery or other culinary business.
The following chart illustrates the variety and stature of businesses that have hired or recruited externs from the culinary programs held at ICE's LA campus.
"I just realized I’m never going to be happy unless I follow this passion inside me, which is to work in food."
