UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education Announces New Hybrid Culinary Arts Program

UCI Partners with Rouxbe Online Culinary School for Program Blending Professional & Practical Skills

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The culinary world is booming: from entertainment to hospitality and creative food entrepreneurs, opportunities for passionate, dedicated chefs, cooks, and professional kitchen staff are abundant, with employment growth outpacing the national average. The University of California, Irvine, Division of Continuing Education (DCE) announces a collaboration with Rouxbe, a leading online culinary school, to introduce the new blended online and on-ground Culinary Arts Program. The hybrid program is designed for a wide range of students and provides a specialized education for those interested in getting their start in the field, changing careers, pursuing advancement or honing current skills.

Using a combination of Rouxbe’s innovative online learning platform and hands-on experience in a local training kitchen facilitated by a professional chef-instructor, students will develop a practical knowledge of what it means to operate as a culinary professional. Taught by experienced chef educators and former culinary school executives, the blended learning environment allows students to combine interactive online curriculum teaching basic cooking theory and techniques with practical experience in a well-stocked professional kitchen, working alongside a chef instructor. Rouxbe’s online curriculum is recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation as a quality program.  

“Whatever their motivation—from starting a new career to launching a culinary-based business—cooks at all skill levels will benefit from UCI’s new program,” said Ian Gibson, Program Director at University of California Irvine, Division of Continuing Education. “Students will receive a solid education that prepares them to forge their own paths in the industry. The program can be completed in as little as three months, and costs only a fraction of the traditional cooking school price tag.”

Participants will receive professional culinary training that covers everything from the essentials of knife skills, kitchen culture, proper food handling, and the foundations of food and flavor, to more advanced techniques, trends and methods for preparing foods. Students will be taught fundamental cookery skills including the preparation of stocks, sauces and soups; roasting, braising, stewing, simmering, and grilling; plating; and bread, pastry and dessert creation.

“The Culinary Arts Program is really student-centric, providing a unique learning experience. While studying with professional chefs, students will be encouraged to dive in and experiment, learning from their own experiences in the kitchen,” said Ken Rubin, Chief Culinary Officer at Rouxbe. “With enough imagination and a dedication to developing their talents, aspiring professionals should have the opportunity to break into the culinary world.”

UCI’s Culinary Arts Program will begin taking students in late September/early October 2018. Would-be professional cooks will be able to choose between a three-month, full-time or six-month, part-time learning option.

For more information about the Culinary Arts Program, please visit our website or call Gina Cho at (949) 824-4598.

About UCI Division of Continuing Education: The University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) provides lifelong learning opportunities to thousands of students worldwide each year – fulfilling the school’s 60-year curriculum platform to connect degree programs to the world of work and achievement after graduation. The Division offers a broad range of certificate programs, specialized studies, and sequential courses to local, regional and global markets through online, on-campus and on-site delivery. A leader in the open education movement, the Division offers free Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) and content through the UCI Open initiative. For more information about UCI Division of Continuing Education, visit here.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities, it’s Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy.

About Rouxbe:
Founded in 2005, Rouxbe offers an online culinary training solution that is comprehensive, cost-effective, and used by hundreds of thousands of students worldwide. This industry-recognized program provides learners with more than 110 hours of professional culinary training and focuses on the same skills taught in traditional culinary schools.

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