Are you looking to enter a culinary arts or cooking school in the Harrisburg, PA area?
Keystone Technical Institute, formerly the Academy of Medical Arts and Business is a small technical school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Their motto is “Students First” and that imperative is manifested in the outstanding student services they offer.
What You Need to Know
Below is some basic information about the Keystone Technical Institute's Culinary Arts Specialist Program . It should help you decide if this is a school to consider. If it does make your list of possible choices, I suggest you click on the "Request Free School Info" button, fill out the short questionnaire and a representative from the school will contact you to answer all your questions in detail, fill you in on costs and financial aid and explain the next steps to apply.
Harrisburg Culinary Academy
8511 Commodity Circle
Harrisburg, FL 32819
KTI provides admissions counseling, career placement services, help in finding housing and a variety of personal support services for all students, including tutoring and study skill development. The school operates an on-site child care center and playground; one of the ways it supports adult students.
KTI has flexible options to assist both traditional and non-traditional students with educational planning. Classes are offered during day and evening times and occasionally on weekends. Classes are practical, hands-on and targeted to help students gain the skills they need for success in the workplace. They learn the occupational skills that employers are looking for and professional skills like business attitude, behavior and attire. This approach puts KTI graduates at a decided advantage when competing for jobs.
Culinary Arts Specialist Program
KTI’s Culinary Arts Specialist Program leads to an Associate Degree of Specialized Business. The 15-month course prepares students for employment in many facets of the growing hospitality industry. Students learn:
Food service fundamentals
Culinary principles
Baking and pastry making
Menu planning
How to use a variety of ingredients
How to garnish and present food
Health and safety
Nutrition
Garde manger
Business management
Professional communications
Accreditation
KTI is accredited by the Accreditation Commission of Career Colleges and Schools of Technology.
Faculty and Facilities
Keystone Technical Institute has recently undergone a renovation in every way, changing the name, updating the facilities and refocusing on their mission. The classrooms are fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology and laboratories have been modernized. The culinary arts program has a new state-of-the-art, professionally equipped teaching kitchen. The school also boasts a café and a child-care center.
Financial Aid
KTI’s financial aid office is available to assist students in exploring options for financing their education. Keystone Technical Institute is fully accredited and participates in Federal and State Student Aid programs, so prospective students should complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as possible. Scholarships and Career Training Foundation Awards are also available. 95% of KTI’s full time students receive financial aid.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is a mid-sized city located on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania; it is the capitol of Pennsylvania. With the development of railroads and the Erie Canal, Harrisburg was a transportation hub and was heavily industrialized. By the late 20th century, however, the city was declining rapidly. Since the 1980’s, Harrisburg has been revitalizing itself, attracting tourists and businesses and redeveloping its economy.
Today, Harrisburg is a beautiful city with a rich history and culture. You can visit the many historical sites in the downtown area, or tour the John Harris Mansion and estate. The Capitol building is worth a look-see, too; it is said to be one of the grandest Capitols in the US and was modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
Harrisburg sponsors several notable festivals. Kipona is in the fall, and is one of the oldest annual festivals in the nation. The American Musicfest is held over the 4th of July and culminates with a beautiful fireworks display. Smaller festivals and celebrations are part of the fun of Harrisburg life and include holiday festivals and the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. And, of course, there’s the Pennsylvania Farm Show—the largest agricultural exposition in the United States and an annual tradition since 1917.
Sports? Harrisburg has a Minor League baseball team, the Senators, and a professional soccer team, the Heat.
For music and culture, there are museums, galleries and shows. During the summer, you can listen to live music at the Italian Lake Renaissance Gardens. Or, any time of the year, you can go downtown and find excellent jazz, rock and music of all kinds at the many nightclubs and restaurants.
Start your culinary arts career at Keystone Technical Institute in Harrisburg—you’ll develop the skills and knowledge you need in a city you’ll love.
What Do You Need To Know to Get Into Culinary School?
As the Reluctant Gourmet, I have never been to cooking school, but I keep telling myself it's never too late. The best way for you to learn more about becoming a chef is to visit my new Culinary School Resource Center. Here you will find articles, books, school resources and many other useful resources.
Also, try reading as much as you can about going to cooking school and what it is like to be a professional chef. One book I highly recommend to anyone thinking about culinary school is, The Making of A Chef, by Michael Ruhlman. It will really help you understand what you may be getting yourself into. For a complete list of Books For Cooks.
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